Sending GRE scores

[poissonpilote]

Hello all,

I'm currently registering for the GRE online, and they tell me that I can add up to 4 institutions to which the scores will be sent, and that if I don't do it now and do it after I'll have to pay $20 per institution.

Thing is, I plan to send my applications by November, so I don't really have the full list of the grad schools to which I'll have to send my GRE scores.

When I send my applications, will I have to pay $20 to the ETS per grad school that wants my GRE scores? Or can I just send a copy of my score sheet along the rest of my application?

I don't really get this $20 fee thing...

Thanks in advance

[cardnav]

In order for the score to be "official" it needs to be mailed through ETS and they will not be able to use your photocopy. Even if you don't know where you are sending your applications you do get 4 FREE ones that are sent after you take the exam. Even if you end up not applying to the school you have nothing to lose. Also many schools lose the scores, you may have to send them a second time.

[poissonpilote]

So you recommend I enter 4 grad schools I think I'm likely to apply to- even if I'll only send the full application a month after or something?

[fuzzylogician]

So you recommend I enter 4 grad schools I think I'm likely to apply to- even if I'll only send the full application a month after or something?

Definitely. Schools will keep your score report on file for much longer than a month -- at the very least they'll keep it until after the fall application deadline passes. Even if you end up not applying to a school you sent scores to, you've lost nothing. You have four free score reports that you can only use once you've finished the test. You won't be able to use them later, so better bet on schools you're likely to apply to than not send any scores at all.

[belowthree]

Yes, most schools won't be surprised at all if scores come in before an application, they'll create a file for you and hold on to them usually. Although since they're electronic these days they may not even need to make a file and they'll just look it up when you do finally submit the app.

Either way, yes, put down the schools you're most likely to apply to.

[shai]

Hi

I sent 4 schools my GRE scores. When applying, do I need to open up a new account or does sending your GRE scores open an application account for you ?

[fuzzylogician]

I sent 4 schools my GRE scores. When applying, do I need to open up a new account or does sending your GRE scores open an application account for you ?

Scores are sent electronically nowadays so this might not be exactly accurate, but basically the answer is yes: the graduate school will open a file for each new applicant, in which they accumulate the credentials that student has sent in (i.e., their transcripts, GRE/TOEFL scores, LoRs, etc). If your GRE scores are the first thing to arrive, the school will simply open a file for you. If you've already sent something else before, the scores will be added to your already existing file.

[shai]

Scores are sent electronically nowadays so this might not be exactly accurate, but basically the answer is yes: the graduate school will open a file for each new applicant, in which they accumulate the credentials that student has sent in (i.e., their transcripts, GRE/TOEFL scores, LoRs, etc). If your GRE scores are the first thing to arrive, the school will simply open a file for you. If you've already sent something else before, the scores will be added to your already existing file

But if so - aren't you supposed to get the log in credentials to the file they automatically opened for you ?

[expressionista]

Most (or all) schools have an online application system that requires you to create a log-in and password. I assume this is what you're referring to. This is totally separate from a school's file of your application. The school's file would include your GRE scores, LORs, the application you submit online, etc. As far as I know, you're always going to have to create your online log-in information by yourself.

[fuzzylogician]

Most (or all) schools have an online application system that requires you to create a log-in and password. I assume this is what you're referring to. This is totally separate from a school's file of your application. The school's file would include your GRE scores, LORs, the application you submit online, etc. As far as I know, you're always going to have to create your online log-in information by yourself.

This. Moreover, most schools I applied to did not update whether or not they had received my GRE scores, TOEFL scores, transcripts, LoRs (basically, everything that had to be sent to the school via post) until well after the application deadline (or ever, in some cases). Depending on the info that's posted on the school's site, you basically need to either contact the administrators at each school and have them look, or go on faith and hope that they will contact you if anything is missing. Some schools explicitly say "don't call us, we'll call you." Anyway, updating these documents happens regardless of your opening an account on the application website. I would think that the app you complete online later becomes part of your "application file," which would also contain other administrative parts that are invisible to you. At some point after you submit your app, it is* associated with your administrative file - the one with the scores, transcripts, etc - and then your file is considered complete and is forwarded to the department for consideration.

* or at least, it should be. Come January-February there will be a bunch of posts that start "school A has lost my (GRE/transcripts/...)". Usually, though, it all happens rather smoothly.