RVC requirements: GRE general and subject tests

[ckd816]

I was just looking at school requirements and noticed that RVC is requiring the general GRE as well as a GRE subject test in either biology, biochemistry or chemistry... they've never been required in the past right? Doesn't that leave me kind of screwed if I wanted to apply there this cycle since the subject tests are only offered in April, October and November every year so I won't be able to take it until after the VMCAS deadline? 😕

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[lei325]

That is a new requirement...when I applied they only required you take the general GRE. 🙁

I would try to contact Margaret Kilyon or even just send a general inquiry to the international admissions office regarding the GRE subject test. They were very helpful during my application process. You might be able to send the scores after the VMCAS closes if you won't get a chance to take it before.

 

[ckd816]

I guess I sort of prematurely freaked out before I looked at the policy of other schools that require subject tests... apparently they just need the scores by the end of November. I decided to send them an email anyway just to make sure. I'm kind of bummed they require it now because I really wasn't planning on taking it! 🙁 Anyway, thanks for the help!

 

[CurrySpice]

I'm with you on being bummed about this new requirement! I have NO desire to take an extra GRE... but I visited the school/city this spring and loved it, hmmm, maybe I'll just take the Bio GRE without really studying and see what happens, lol. It does make sense though because an international school has no way of really understanding a lot of the US schools and how they compare.

 

[Mistoffeles]

UGA also requires the bio GRE in addition to the general test. the RVC didn't arrive at the decision to require an extra test capriciously. in prior years, they didn't require any GRE scores, however, americans were only accepted on the five year course. with the four year course now open to us, they need a way to ensure that we've got the background to do two years work in the space of one year (the 4 year program essentially condenses the first two years of the 5 year course, and your second year is joining with the 3rd year course of the next year's 5yr program - in other words, all the americans starting the 4 year program next year will be doing their clinical years with me 🙂 )

the GRE seemed to be the best way of equating our knowledge base to the UK students accepted on the 4-year course.

 

[ckd816]

I guess I don't mind too much because I was already considering applying to Oklahoma State but I didn't want to take the bio GRE for just one school... Anyway, I just wanted to update that they emailed me back yesterday and here's what they said (just as I presumed):

If any of the required GRE test dates are after the VMCAS application then we are happy for these scores to be sent to us directly after the deadline.