Should I skip the GRE now that it is optional? (MS Biostatistics)

[Sarahrn10000000]

Hi all,

I plan on applying to MS biostatistics programs for the Fall 2021 semester. Now that all the programs I am applying to have made the GRE requirement optional I am wondering if it is worth putting effort into taking it. I have a 3.98 GPA and have taken Calc III, Diff Eq, Probability, Intro to Proofs, Linear Algebra, Intro to Programming all with an A grade except for Diff Eq (A-). The schools I plan on applying to are Mount Sinai, Columbia, NYU, Harvard, Boston University, Rutgers, and New Jersey Institute of Technology. For the record I did take the GRE this past Friday and did not do as well as I thought I would (155V, 160Q). There are a few reasons why I believe I did not do as well as I hoped but I believe if I put in the effort I could reach 160V 164Q however I am really busy these days and I don't know if it is worth putting in the effort now that it is not required. What do you all think?

[StatsG0d]

I think you would need to post your whole profile in order to judge. In general, I would say that a 160Q is sufficient for most (if not all) MS Programs in biostatistics (not true for PhD programs however, so if that's in your future, it's probably worthwhile to retake). Since you got a decent score, I think I would go ahead and submit it.