Do I need to take the GRE Subject Test?

[bionerd]

I've reposted this from the GRE subform hoping to get some more biology-related opinions--

As a bit of background, I'm a Junior seeking to apply to PhD programs in molecular biology/genetics this December. The top-tier snowball's-chance-in-hell "dream" schools I've looked at say they "don't require the GRE Subject Test, but strongly recommend it." Yet I've known people who got into their programs without having taken a Subject Test.

I took the regular GRE last summer and somehow managed a 1500. (It was only after that that I first heard about GRE Subject tests!) I've been doing undergrad research throughout my college career - and if luck serves me, I'll have 1-2 pubs and some good rec letters at the end of my time here.

Relative to that, just how heavily do you think the upper-tier schools (say, Berkeley or Rockefeller) weigh the GRE Subject Tests?

Thanks for any input you have!

[reverdy]

I would say it depends on your undergrad school. My impression was that the subject test is really only to test the strength of unknown undergrad programs, so if you come from a well-known (and good) undergrad program, I doubt the subject test will be necessary. If your school is unknown, then you should probably take the test.

[soramimicake]

I was told by friends of mine who applied to similar PhD programs that I didn't need to take it given that my other stats were good. I actually go to a small liberal arts college that nobody's ever heard of and didn't take the GRE subject test and still got into top schools. It looks like you have a lot of research and a good GRE score, so as long as your GPA is pretty good, I would say don't worry about it unless you're worried that something in your application could be better!

[singlecell]

I applied to three schools (you can see which in my tagline). Only one, Berkeley, didn't require but "recommended" a subject exam. I didn't take one. I didn't get an interview there. The other two didn't require or recommend one, and I got interviews there. Overall my application was strong.

Anecdotal evidence, I know. But taking a subject GRE can't hurt you, besides the expense. You don't have to submit the scores if you don't like them, right?

[Mrs. Bio]

I took the biochem one and sent it to 4 schools. Two required it and two "strongly encouraged" it. I was rejected from one that required it and accepted to the other (which is a top 10 program). I was also accepted to both that encouraged it (one of which is a top 10 as well). I thought my score sucked because, overall, it was in the 67th percentile. However, hopefully this well help you decide whether or not to take it if your stills on the fence about it. From my experience, you don't need a 90% to get into great schools that even require it. Also, remember that it's just one part of your app, and as was said before, if you don't like your score you can choose not to send it.

[FlyGirl]

I applied to five PhD programs last year, including 1 ivy. All of these school strongly recommended taking a GRE subject test. My undergrad degree was in a completely different field and yet I was accepted by all five schools without ever taking GRE subject test. So my advice is to the score only if you did exceptionally well (>90 percentile)

[Mrs. Bio]

So my advice is to the score only if you did exceptionally well (>90 percentile)

I'll reiterate that I was accepted to two top 10 schools (one #1 USNWR in biological sciences) with a 67th percentile score. If you do "OK" I think it's fine to send it if you're confident about your LOR's, research experience, and GPA.

[CSCmeta]

I got a 81% for gre biochemistry. Do you think if I should send the score? FYI: I'm an international student

[Biohopeful]

Hi all,

I've been looking all over and I can't seem to find a good answer for this. I took the Biology Subject and ended up with a 75th percentile overall, 88th percentile Cell/Molecular Bio, 75th percentile Organismal, and 50th percentile Eco/Evolution.

My concentration as an undergrad was in Cell and Molecular Biology, and those are the programs I'm interested in. Are these okay scores? Would you submit these to places that "encourage" them? I come from a small state school/branch of a flagship Top University. My GPA and everything else is fine, except for my GRE general that I botched due to extreme testing anxiety, especially under timed pressure.

[mnat]

Since you mentioned Rockefeller, I thought I should tell you that I was there this summer for undergraduate research, and the dean said they use the subject test score to check you out if they don't know your undergrad institution's reputation. They value the GRE general test less and only require it because everyone else does and they may as well see your scores. That's what the dean said anyway.

I didn't take a subject test myself because I'm trying to get into computational biology/bioinformatics so most programs don't even recommend it.

[MarkHolland]

If you're majoring in one of these subjects, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics and Psychology. you might want to take a Subject Test in addition to the GRE.

Thanks!

[dendy]

According to a student who participates in the admissions process at their school, some schools actually do really want you to take it, namely Stanford. Though I did get this info from someone who did their undergrad in the UK, and at a school more well know for, uh, economics.

Edited December 6, 2012 by dendy