Taking GRE just 16 days before application deadline, is it possible?

[maria08]

Hi all

 

I have decided very late to apply for an economics MA program at NYU. Their deadline is 1 Feb and given my busy full time job at the moment I could only take the gre exam by 15/16 Jan to give myself a fair chance to perform.

 

I have read that ETS sends the official scores within 10-15 days after the test date and also some of the schools can access the scores electronically first before getting them on paper - not sure NYU can and does.

 

Do I still have a chance to get my application considered in the first place given some time constraints to get the official scores across? I reckon that by the end of the test I will have the scores for V and Q already which I could fill in my application before sending it.

 

anyone in a similar situation? how relentless are schools about getting the GRE scores by the deadline?

 

good luck to all of you who're yet to take the test.

 

cheers

maria

 

 

[bamafan]

You can't find an earlier weekend to take it on? It's only a few hours. Granted, it *should* be okay, but this isn't one of those things you leave to chance and cross your fingers. Take it earlier.

[sugarmilk]

I received my official score report student copy 11 business days after the exam (and I live in the US, mind you). Scores were sent out to schools about 8 business days after taking the exam. Keep in mind that it can take admissions offices several days to process incoming mail (digital or not). Some schools will accept a scanned/faxed copy of the student score report while the official score report is pending.

I understand that you want to give yourself ample time to study, but like the poster above said, you don't want to cut it too close. If you do miss the deadline, then what was the point?

[maria08]

thanks guys, it's a tough choice to make...i am only applying to 1 school given that it's been a very late decision...I think I will risk it, do the test on 14th Jan and hope for the best...

[ridofme]

A few of the schools to which I am applying have said that they will actually accept scores from tests taken as late as the application due date. So I guess you would theoretically self-report the verbal and quant scores, and then they would get the official score reports a few weeks later.  (I think I got mine in 10-14 days). Maybe this would be different for a school with a Feb 1st deadline, but usually the adcomms do not sit down and start reviewing files the day after applications are in.

 

It seems like the main disadvantage of taking the GRE so late would be the pressure to perform. But with a Feb 1st due date, you wouldn't have an opportunity to retake the test anyhow, unless you took them before January 1st, which clearly isn't going to happen. 

 

Anyhow, maybe check with the school to make sure that a late submission (worst case scenario) of the official GRE score report won't sink your candidacy, and then go for it! Good luck

[bicalix]

Hi,

 

I have been through that same situation, and what I did was approach the admissions officer at the school with this same question. As it happens, she told me that they would accept the same solution someone has already mentioned above (email them your results until they receive the official transcript). In addition, they demonstrated some flexibility to "wait" for a period of one and up to 2 weeks. I ended up not needing to resort to that, so I wouldnt be able to tell you how it all worked out in the end, but anyway ask them and try it out!

[wiechers15]

Hi,

 

I was in a similar position as you: I took it on Nov 20th for a Dec 7th deadline. It arrived safely in late November, so you should be just safe with that timing. Good luck!