Learn the average GRE score required to secure a scholarship in the USA

Why is GRE relevant?

Do you already have your GRE score in hand? Or are you researching what score you should aim for? The GRE is the preferred exam of choice for students aspiring to study a postgraduate engineering programme from institutions in the USA. Having a good GRE score helps in getting a scholarship in the USA. Studying abroad can be an expensive affair if you do not have financial backups like a scholarship. Let’s learn what is a good GRE score required for a scholarship in the USA. If you are interested in studying in institutions in the USA with scholarships, reach out to our counsellors for more details.

Institutions generally have a cut-off score for selecting students and it is a combination of the GRE score, IELTS/TOEFL score and the overall grade in the applicant’s undergraduate degree. You might also have to appear for additional exams or meet more requirements before being offered a place to study.

Scholarships by ETS?

GRE is administered by ETS or Educational Testing Services. One point that applicants need to note is that ETS does not offer any scholarships or financial awards to top-scorers in the GRE. The scholarships we are going to discuss are awarded by other authorities, agencies or institutions.

Why are GRE scores important for scholarships?

There are several popular scholarship schemes for international students in the USA.

The United States – India Educational Foundation (USIEF) administers the Fulbright scholarship, which is a popular scholarship option among students from India. #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, AAUW International Fellowships for women and Preply Scholarship are some of the other scholarships offered to international students.

Leading universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Stanford University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Princeton University have their own scholarship schemes sponsored by endowments by companies, trusts and individuals.

Let’s make something clear – GRE scores are not the only factors deciding your chances for scholarships. A high GRE score won’t guarantee you a scholarship. But a good GRE scores can improve your chances and put you ahead of several others with similar academic scores and other test scores. While you prepare for the exam, do check out tips for acing the GRE exam. You can also rely on books for preparing for GRE. Before the actual exam, it is best to try out the mock GRE tests offered by some websites.

There are some universities like the Northcenreal University that explicitly mention that they do not require you to attempt GRE or GMAT.

So, what is the minimum GRE score required?

It is ideal to score a total of 300 in your GRE. If you score above 165 in both the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections and 5 or more in the Analytical Writing section, then it means you have done really well in your GRE. This is considered as an excellent score. There are several institutions in the USA for a GRE score of 310 – 320.

The GRE score expectation will differ for different courses. Higher GRE scores will be expected for courses like engineering. The GRE score in combination with your scores in the TOEFL/IELTS and your undergraduate degree will play a crucial role in determining if you will receive a scholarship or not. 

Other factors that affect your scholarship application

Though GRE scores are important, it is not the only factor that decides whether you are eligible for scholarships. Some of the other factors that come into play when your scholarship application is examined are:

1. The quality of performance of other candidates who have applied for scholarships.
2. The total number of scholarships available in that semester/year
3. The general scoring trends in GRE and IELTS for that specific exam.
4. The quality of your statement of purpose and the letters of recommendation that you submit.
5. Any additional research project that you have worked on, in your undergraduate study; it definitely adds value to your application.

Always remember to send in your applications well before the deadline.

Scholarships will ease your financial stress and help you have a smooth experience of studying abroad. Most scholarships cover part or full tuition fees. There are scholarships that cover a major portion of your expenses. To secure such scholarships, you need to be an exceptionally gifted student with a knock-out academic score throughout your studies from high school to graduation. With the power of the Internet, the onus is on the applicant to research comprehensively to find information on scholarships and apply for them. You can also contact our counsellors for information on possible scholarships that you can apply to. We can help you make your study abroad dreams a reality.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in August 2015. We have included up-to-date information and made it comprehensive.