Universities Waiving GRE/GMAT in the USA 2025

Thinking about applying to grad school in the USA but dreading the GRE or GMAT? Good news! More and more universities are waiving these standardized tests for 2025 admissions. This shift is making the process easier and less stressful for many applicants. Whether you're aiming for an MBA or a master's in another field, you might find that the test requirement isn't a hurdle anymore. Let's dive into the reasons behind this trend and explore which schools are giving students a break from the GRE and GMAT.
 

What Are These Standardized Tests?
 

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

So, what exactly is the GRE? The GRE is a test that many graduate schools use to see if you're ready for advanced study. It checks your skills in areas like verbal reasoning, math, and analytical writing. Basically, it's a way to see how good you are at thinking critically and solving problems. But don't worry! With more schools waiving the GRE, you might not have to take it at all to get into the grad program of your dreams.
 

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

Wondering about the GMAT? The GMAT is a test that business schools use to figure out if you’re ready for their programs. It checks your skills in writing, math, and data analysis—things that are super important for business. Many schools are now dropping the GMAT requirement, which means you might not have to take it to get into your MBA program.
 

Universities That Are Waiving The Tests For 2025
 

Here's a list of the  Universities that have waived the GRE/GMAT for 2025 : 

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and ranks first in the QS World University Rankings. The university waives the GRE for certain programs, such as its master's in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science.

2. Harvard University

Harvard ranks fourth in the QS World University Rankings. It is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Some of the graduate programs that waive the GRE are Computational Science, Engineering, and Data Science. Additionally, not all of Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences's programs require GRE scores. 

3. Stanford University 

Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California. It is ranked sixth in the QS World University Rankings. Stanford's Graduate School of Education and other programs, like the MS in Computer Science, do not require their applicants to submit the GRE. 

4. California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology, also popularly known as Caltech, ranks tenth on the QS World University Rankings. Applicants to Caltech's graduate programs are not required to submit the GRE. Remember that even if you do submit your scores, it does not mean that they will consider them during your admission. 

5. University of Pennsylvania
 

Also known as Penn or UPenn, the University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn Engineering announced that it does not require the GRE at all. Instead, it evaluates the whole portfolio before granting admission. 

6. University of California, Berkeley
 

UC Berkeley, or more formally, the University of California, Berkeley, is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California. UC Berkeley's Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science no longer accepts the GRE.

7. Cornell University

8. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois. It ranks 21 on the QS World University Rankings. UC’s Harrison School of Policy does not require the GRE to be submitted. 

9. Yale University

Yale University is a private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut. It ranks 23rd in the QS World University Rankings. Yale either waives the GRE or makes it optional for most of their graduate programs like Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Personalized Medicine and Applied Engineering, African American Studies, Comparative Literature, Philosophy, and Neuroscience, amongst many others. 

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. JHU ranks 32 on the QS World University Rankings. At JHU, there are several graduate programs that do not require the GRE. Some of them are Biophysics, English, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, History of Art, and Earth and Planetary Science.  

11. Columbia University 
 

Columbia University is located in the City of New York and ranks 34 on the QS World University Rankings. If you're looking to pursue an Engineering degree at Columbia, you do not need to submit your GRE scores. 

12. New York University
 

New York University, ranked 43rd on the QS World University Rankings, is a private research university in New York City, United States.  At NYU Tandon, the GRE is entirely optional for admission into many of its graduate programs. Some of the popular majors that waive the GRE are MS in Urban Science and Informatics, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, and Civil Engineering. 

13. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
 

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, ranking 44 on the QS World University Rankings, is a public university located in Ann Arbor. Most of their graduate programs, like Public Health, Mechanical Engineering, and Industrial and Operations Engineering, do not require the GRE for admission.

14. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It ranks 58th in the QS World University Rankings. At CMU, submission of the GRE test scores in Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, etc. is recommended but not required. 

15. Duke University 

Duke University is a private research university in Durham, located in North Carolina, United States. The institute ranks 61 on the Qs World University Rankings. Duke has made the submission of the GRE for several programs optional. This includes their Masters in Engineering, MA in Humanities, MS in Medical Physics, Material Science, and Engineering, amongst many others. 

16. Princeton University

Princeton University is located in Princeton, United States. Several of its graduate departments do not require the submission of GRE test scores. These include Comparative Literature, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Evolutionary Biology, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Computer Science, and Finance. 

17. University of California - Los Angeles 

UCLA, located in Los Angeles, United States, is ranked 42 on the QS World University Rankings. For the 2024-2025 admission cycle, Computer Science applicants do not need to take the GRE and are not required to submit their scores.  

18. University of Texas - Austin 

The University of Texas-Austin is located in Austin, United States. The institute ranks 66 on the QS World University Rankings. According to its Graduate Admission portal for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, applicants are not required to submit GRE scores.

19. University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign 

University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign is ranked 69 on the Qs World University Rankings. If you are interested in studying chemistry at the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the institute, you do not have to worry about submitting the GRE scores. 

20. University of California - San Diego 

The University of California - San Diego ranks 82 on the QS World University Rankings. Several of its graduate programs do not require the submission of GRE scores or have made it optional for applicants. Popular departments among those waiving the GRE are Anthropology, Bioengineering, Structural Engineering, MBA and Public Health.

21. Georgia Institute of Technology

The Georgia Institute of Technology is located in Atlanta, United States. It ranks 114 on the QS World University Rankings. As a prospective student of the College of Sciences, Department of Mathematics, you will not be required to send in your GRE scores. 

22. University of Illinois - Chicago

The University of Illinois-Chicago is ranked 365 on the QS World University Rankings. If you are interested in applying to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for its Communication Program, you do not have to worry about submitting a GRE score. 

23. George Washington University

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., United States, and is ranked 371 on the QS World University Rankings. The institute has waived the GRE for many of its graduate departments, such as Biomedical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Data Analytics. 

24. Northeastern University

Northeastern University is located in Boston, United States. The institute is ranked 396 on the QS World University Rankings. As a prospective student to it Graduate School of Engineering, you will not be required to send in your GRE test scores.

25. Texas A&M University 

Texas A&M University is a public university located in College Station, Texas, United States. It ranks 154 on the QS World University Rankings. Admission to the Zachry Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering no longer requires the GRE. 

26. Michigan State University  

Michigan State University is a public institution that ranks 152 on the QS World University Rankings. Multiple departments at MSU are either keeping the GRE optional or no longer requiring applicants to submit them. English, HR & Labor Relations, Material Science, and Engineering are a few of them. 

27. University of Rochester 

The University of Rochester is located in  Rochester, New York. It ranks 236 on the QS World University Rankings The Department of Mechanical Engineering has made the submission of GRE test scores optional for its applicants. 

28. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

The University of Massachusetts - Amherst, is located in Amherst, United States. It ranks 275 on the QS University World Ranking. If you are considering applying to the College of Natural Science, you do not need to submit a GRE score but you may send one in if you want. 

29. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 

The University of Minnesota is a public land-grant research university in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. The institute ranks 203 on the QS World University Rankings. As a prospective applicant to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, you do not need to submit your GRE scores. While the university still mentions the section in the form, you are required to keep it blank as any scores submitted will not be reviewed. 

30. DePaul University  

The DePaul University is a private institution located in Chicago. Its Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media does not require the GRE for the Master's and MFA program as well as if you are looking to apply for PhD in Human-Centred Design. 

Eligibility Criteria

Even though many universities are dropping the GRE/GMAT requirement, some still have specific criteria you need to meet to qualify for a waiver. Here’s a quick look at what you might need to check: 
 

• Work Experience: If you have significant professional experience related to your field, you might be eligible for a waiver.
   
• Strong Academic Record: Good grades or other academic achievements can sometimes get you a waiver.
   
• Advanced Degrees: Already have another degree? Some programs might waive the GRE/GMAT for you.
   
• Special Achievements: If you have notable awards or accomplishments, you might qualify for a waiver. 
   
• Program-Specific Rules: Each program may have its own rules, so make sure to check their specific requirements. 
   
• Alternative Tests: Depending on your program, other tests or qualifications, like the LSAT or the MCAT, can sometimes replace the GRE/GMAT. 
   
   

Conclusion
 

As we move into 2025, the trend of universities waiving the GRE and GMAT requirements is making grad school applications more accessible and less stressful. The shift reflects a developing recognition that standardized tests are not the only way to assess a candidate’s potential. With more schools waiving these tests, you might find it easier to apply to your dream program without the added pressure of test prep. 
Whether you're aiming for a master’s or an MBA, this change could be a great opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences in other ways. So, if you’ve been hesitant about applying because of these tests, it’s a good time to take another look at your options and dive into your academic journey with a bit less stress. In case you're still unsure of how to apply or where to go, book a counseling session with any of our top counselors and let us help you start your journey to higher education aboard! 
 

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