PhD Programs that Don't Require the GRE

[thepoorstockinger]

Anyone have any suggestions?

I am a Canadian who isn't used to writing standardized tests so I have no idea how I'll fair when I write the GRE (I am at least 12 months away from that as I am in a Canadian MA program at the moment) so I want to make sure I apply to some schools which don't require it. So far all I've been able to find is North Western.

Anyone know of any other schools?

[kahlan_amnell]

Anyone have any suggestions?

I am a Canadian who isn't used to writing standardized tests so I have no idea how I'll fair when I write the GRE (I am at least 12 months away from that as I am in a Canadian MA program at the moment) so I want to make sure I apply to some schools which don't require it. So far all I've been able to find is North Western.

Anyone know of any other schools?

I assume you are asking about PhD programs in the US? Because as far as I know most Canadian PhD programs do not require the GRE, except possibly from applicants from the US.

[Septimius]

I think that you already have the complete list of US PhD programs that do not require the GRE. Northwestern is it. Although it may be possible that some MA programs don't require it.

[JerryLandis]

I haven't come across any programs in the US that don't require the GRE. People are expected to take it no matter what country or educational system they come from (I'll try to refrain from ranting about that just now). Anyways, 12 months is enough time to prepare yourself for the test. Start preparing as soon as you can, because the months/weeks before the test fly by pretty quickly. I suggest taking a lot of practice tests so you can get used to the test format. Obviously it is helpful to have taken some standardized tests before, but fortunately for you the format of the computer-based GRE is substantially different from that of traditional paper-based standardized tests, and as such the testing strategies Americans have been learning for the past 20 years don't really apply to the GRE. You should definitely get a book to help you out. I used the Princeton Review book. It explains the test and how you should take it, and is written for people who have no idea what the GRE is supposed to be like.

[thepoorstockinger]

So it sounds like Northwestern is it, eh? Bummer as it is a poor fit for me.

I am aware of the fact that Canadian PhD programs do not require the GRE, but I study modern American history so I will be heading south for the doctorate.

I have a plan to study for the GRE starting next semester to write it in the fall of 2010. I will probably go with the Kaplan or Princeton review book but not take classes due to my current school's location. I am not terrified of the test, my math skills are not good but I think I can score well enough on the verbal. It's less me expecting to do poorly than it is me being aware that I just don't know how I will score and wanting to be prepared with some decent non-GRE-requiring options if things go poorly, but it doesn't seem like there are any. Just added incentive to make sure I don't do poorly, I guess.

Thanks for the input guys/gals!

[misterpat]

Ha. I got excited when I read the thread title because I knew of NW. Apparently it is no secret.

I applied last year and they wouldn't even look at my GREs.

[kahlan_amnell]

So it sounds like Northwestern is it, eh? Bummer as it is a poor fit for me.

I am aware of the fact that Canadian PhD programs do not require the GRE, but I study modern American history so I will be heading south for the doctorate.

I have a plan to study for the GRE starting next semester to write it in the fall of 2010. I will probably go with the Kaplan or Princeton review book but not take classes due to my current school's location. I am not terrified of the test, my math skills are not good but I think I can score well enough on the verbal. It's less me expecting to do poorly than it is me being aware that I just don't know how I will score and wanting to be prepared with some decent non-GRE-requiring options if things go poorly, but it doesn't seem like there are any. Just added incentive to make sure I don't do poorly, I guess.

Thanks for the input guys/gals!

There are plenty of history departments in Canada that have U.S./American history programs. (I should know, I applied to a number of them, and made people wonder why someone from the US would go to Canada to study US History!) Anyway, if you want to do your Ph.D. in US, I'm not trying to discourage you, just point out that there are opportunities in Canada too.

[thepoorstockinger]

There are plenty of history departments in Canada that have U.S./American history programs. (I should know, I applied to a number of them, and made people wonder why someone from the US would go to Canada to study US History!) Anyway, if you want to do your Ph.D. in US, I'm not trying to discourage you, just point out that there are opportunities in Canada too.

Where did you apply in Canada? (I assume UBC, UofT, maybe York and SFU?)

I have been pretty much flat out told that getting a PhD in US history from a Canadian school is a red flag now days on the Canadian job market. There are so many unemployed academics with PhDs from good American schools looking for work that it can be a deal breaker to try to get a job up here in US history without American credentials.

I would also rather be somewhere with a large number of faculty and other students working on modern America, be closer to my archives, and quite frankly there aren't a lot of people working on what I am working on in Canada. (or the US for that matter)

[StrangeLight]

i would think there'd be a ton of people working on modern american history in the US. too many, even (for the job market, i mean).

i'm a canadian and i did fine on the GRE. 650V (95%ile) 690Q (70%ile). i would've liked a higher verbal score but what can you do? i'd never had to take standardized tests before (ever! we just don't do that up here) so i'm sure american students with more familiarity with the format had a leg up on me, but three months of solid preparation was all i really needed. spend time on it and you'll do fine. if you're worried about what your score could potentially be, take practice tests and calculate your score. that's always a good hint of where you're at.

[virmundi]

Don't let the GRE bother you. Study for it (the Princeton and Kaplan books are, in my experience, great preparatory tools, as is ETS' own free set of preparation materials), and take it. You don't have to be the best, although you'll want to do reasonably well on both the Verbal and analytical writing portions. Do not - absolutely do not - refrain from applying to schools that seem like a good fit to you because they require the GRE.

In any event, you will want to put the majority of your effort into securing stellar letters of recommendation from tenured faculty. Additionally, you will want to put together a writing sample that is as flawless as you can possibly make it. Get feedback from anyone with a pulse whose writing and opinion you respect to hone your sample as much as possible. Also, make sure that your statement of purpose is compelling, and you will want to tailor your statement to each individual program to which you apply. One size does *not* fit all. Make sure that your statement speaks specifically to the program that you are applying to and the faculty members with whom you would like to work. If you haven't contacted the faculty at each school with whom you would like to work, you should do this as well.

The items that I have mentioned in the second paragraph will have far more impact on your chances of being admitted than your GREs, but you'll want to have at least moderately good GRE scores if you can.

Good luck.

[IcarusII]

UW-Seattle does not require the GRE.

I'll let you know if I come across any others.

[modern]

I think University of Michigan and University of California at Berkeley don't require the GRE. As far as I remember, Berkeley required either the TOEFL or the GRE for foreign-speaking candidates, so I don't know how it would be for a Canadian.

[modern]

That said, I had the same concern before applying last year. I was also looking for those universities that don't ask for GRE, just in case. In the end, I decided to ignore that and just apply to my top choices. I ended with a very, very bad Quantitative score, a very good Verbal one, and admitted to my two first choices, which have insanely competitive admission processes.

So do it as good as you can and don't base your choices on that, at least don't let it be the most important factor!

[StrangeLight]

huh. when i applied to michigan, they wanted GRE scores.

[Wolverine85]

Northwestern University has a PhD program in history that does not require GRE scores. http://www.history.northwestern.edu/graduate/faq.html