Should I take the GRE as an MD/PhD applicant just to be safe?

[Macromind101]

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I know that most MD/PhD programs do not require their applicants to have taken the GRE but I heard that a few do. I was wondering if it's a good idea to take the GRE just to be safe. I read that the GRE is much easier than the MCAT but to be honest, since I'm not a well-balanced person at all when it comes to STEM and humanities, I think that the MCAT will actually be easier for me since it's mostly science with one verbal section. Well actually, I take it back. On the SAT's, at least, I was able to pull off an 800 on the Writing section while I got a 770 on the Math section. It was mostly because my SAT tutor is an actual SAT essay grader so he taught me all the tips to writing a perfect 12 essay. So you can get a couple wrong on the MC and still get an 800 if you get a 12 on the essay which is what happened to me (12 essay and two wrong on the MC which still got me an 800). So it's not like I'm a prodigy at writing or anything; it's just that I know the writing section on the SAT's inside out which is why I managed to get an 800. My point being, if I managed to retain my standardized test writing skills from the SAT's, then hopefully I can pull a perfect score on the Analytical Writing section on the GRE while I get either perfect or very close to perfect on the Quantitative Reasoning section. The only section that I should be concerned about (as long as I study a decent amount on the last two sections) is the Verbal Reasoning section (both on the GRE and the MCAT). I was wondering if the verbal sections on the GRE and the MCAT are similar at all and if I prepare for one of the tests, then if I should be good for the other (like studying for an AP exam and then being good for the corresponding SAT II exam).

I don't want to limit myself by only taking the MCAT. But at the same time, I don't want to eat up too much time by studying for both the MCAT and the GRE. So I was wondering if it's really worth studying for hours and taking the GRE just to open up a few MD/PhD programs that require both.

EDIT: Sorry, just one more question. For the MD/PhD programs that do require the GRE, do they also like it when applicants take GRE subject tests? Would taking GRE subject tests and getting good scores increase your chances of getting into MD/PhD programs that take the GRE?

 

[hoihaie]

Why don't you look into the school you wanna apply, and if there is even 1 school that does require GRE, then you go take it?

 

[Reckoner]

Here's a list of programs and their GRE requirements: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/62760/data/ See column seven.

Definitely not worth it in my opinion. Using that GRE prep time to maximize your MCAT score instead will be a much better use of time.

 

[Macromind101]

Here's a list of programs and their GRE requirements: https://www.aamc.org/students/download/62760/data/ See column seven.

Definitely not worth it in my opinion. Using that GRE prep time to maximize your MCAT score instead will be a much better use of time.

Alright, thanks for the link! From what I saw, there are only a few out of hundreds of MD/PhD programs that require the GRE. But those schools that do require GRE are actually very prestigious (Harvard/MIT and USC come to mind). I kind of don't want to have to exclude those schools in the application process by not taking the GRE, provided I get stellar grades in undergrad and my MCAT score is competitive. But do you know if, for schools that don't require the GRE, if it would still help if you took the GRE, get a good score and put it on your application? In terms of the undergraduate school process, most schools don't require both the SAT or ACT (they require either one or the other) and they don't require SAT II's. But it definitely helps applicants if they do take both the SAT and the ACT and the SAT II (heck, the top schools that don't require it still recommend it). I do not know of any school that outright ignore the fact that applicants take both the SAT and ACT and the SAT II as long as their scores are good. So I was wondering if MD/PhD programs are the same in terms of this. Even if the GRE is not required, I was wondering if it's still a plus factor in admissions if applicants still take it, get good scores and put the scores on their application If the application process considers GRE scores and looks favorably upon good scores, then I would think that it's worth taking the GRE to maximize your chances...

 

[Reckoner]

Alright, thanks for the link! From what I saw, there are only a few out of hundreds of MD/PhD programs that require the GRE. But those schools that do require GRE are actually very prestigious (Harvard/MIT and USC come to mind). I kind of don't want to have to exclude those schools in the application process by not taking the GRE, provided I get stellar grades in undergrad and my MCAT score is competitive. But do you know if, for schools that don't require the GRE, if it would still help if you took the GRE, get a good score and put it on your application? In terms of the undergraduate school process, most schools don't require both the SAT or ACT (they require either one or the other) and they don't require SAT II's. But it definitely helps applicants if they do take both the SAT and the ACT and the SAT II (heck, the top schools that don't require it still recommend it). I do not know of any school that outright ignore the fact that applicants take both the SAT and ACT and the SAT II as long as their scores are good. So I was wondering if MD/PhD programs are the same in terms of this. Even if the GRE is not required, I was wondering if it's still a plus factor in admissions if applicants still take it, get good scores and put the scores on their application If the application process considers GRE scores and looks favorably upon good scores, then I would think that it's worth taking the GRE to maximize your chances...

Your stellar MCAT score and GPA already demonstrate you are qualified for the program. A high GRE score isn't going to do much more in that department.

If you think it's worth it to take time away from your MCAT prep so you can apply to South Carolina (a small non-MSTP) and some of the graduate programs at Harvard (the MSTP itself doesn't require the GRE), then by all means go ahead. In my opinion it's a sub-optimal strategy, but it seems like you're already set on taking the extra test.

 

[Macromind101]

Your stellar MCAT score and GPA already demonstrate you are qualified for the program. A high GRE score isn't going to do much more in that department.

If you think it's worth it to take time away from your MCAT prep so you can apply to South Carolina (a small non-MSTP) and some of the graduate programs at Harvard (the MSTP itself doesn't require the GRE), then by all means go ahead. In my opinion it's a sub-optimal strategy, but it seems like you're already set on taking the extra test.

I meant South California...

 

[Reckoner]

I meant South California...

Where are you getting that information? It's not on Keck's website, nor in the document I posted.

 

[candbgirl]

Alright, thanks for the link! From what I saw, there are only a few out of hundreds of MD/PhD programs that require the GRE. But those schools that do require GRE are actually very prestigious (Harvard/MIT and USC come to mind). I kind of don't want to have to exclude those schools in the application process by not taking the GRE, [BOLD]provided I get stellar grades in undergrad and my MCAT score is competitive. [/BOLD]...

What year are you currently in? From this post it almost sounds like you haven't started college. If that's the case relax and worry About the GRE in a few years. If you're not just starting sorry about that