Sending GRE Scores Before Starting Application

[bar_scene_gambler]

So I'm taking my GRE's in late August, long before any graduate programs open for applications. Can I still send my GRE scores, or will that be a total waste? Because ETS gives you 4 free programs to send your scores to, and I don't want to waste it. Will the school keep my scores on record, or will they just require me to resubmit them when I apply?

[wanderingalbatross]

You can send them right when you take them, regardless of whether you've sent an application yet. This is the norm.

[bar_scene_gambler]

So the program will hold onto the scores, even if I haven't started an application?

[zapster]

They should - probably depends on each program, but I did exactly this with the 4 free programs you get to send the score to, and none of them had a problem.

[Scarf in the wind]

Yeah, same here. They'll keep it. To them you're someone who will help them accrue wealth in the form of grants and scholarships, not to mention prestige. They have an incentive to assist you.

[TakeruK]

This is a bit of conjecture, but I think that the term "send your scores" is a bit misleading. What I think actually happens is either

 

Case 1: You take your test and your scores are stored along with your test registration number on an ETS server somewhere. Grad schools can log onto this server and look up your score when you provide your test registration number in your application package. If you have "sent" the score to the school, then the ETS server will allow the grad school to access your score.

 

OR
 

Case 2: You take your test and every so often, ETS sends the score of each test to every school that the test taker has authorized. These scores are stored in some electronic database/computer at each school's grad office and when you send in your application, the school tries to look up your test registration number in their own database to get your score.

 

In either case, I don't believe that ETS actually sends a physical piece of paper via snail mail for every score report. I think this guess/theory is supported because a bunch of people above noted, you can use your free score report to send your scores to schools before you actually apply. In addition, for one of my schools, I took the subject GRE test pretty late and my scores were not actually available until 1-2 weeks after the application deadline. As soon as they became available, I ordered the score report online for this school (in the evening) and the next morning, the secretary contacted me to let me know that they have my latest score. This made me believe that the process is actually electronic, and that "sending" a score report is more like "authorizing a school to see your score". Just my theory though!

[zapster]

In either case, I don't believe that ETS actually sends a physical piece of paper via snail mail for every score report. I think this guess/theory is supported because a bunch of people above noted, you can use your free score report to send your scores to schools before you actually apply. 

 

I have actually received communication from schools that they have not "received my scores yet" and they usually "expect postal delivery in XXX days". Also, ETS clearly talks about postal delivery time, and that sending scores outside the US take more time (which should obviously not be the case if this were an electronic process) - I have also experienced this where it took forever for my scores to be sent to a school in UK vs when the US schools received it. Having said this, it is also possible that ETS makes scores available electronically (certainly should be the norm in this day and age if you ask me!!), but some schools only accept scores sent physically?