I am not really sure if i am in the correct sub forum but I want to ask you if someone could help me figure my options. Basically my mother wants me to apply for a master program, however she wants me to avoid taking the GRE test. I have done research and found out that schools that don’t require GRE ask for a minimum GPA. This minimum GPA is a big problem for me because I am graduating this summer with a GPA of 2.3 which is extremely low. I got this gpa for various reasons which I don’t really consider as valid excuses so I won’t mention hear unless someone really needs to know. In summary I would like to know what are my options if I skip the GRE and if I take GRE. Thank you in advance.
Your GPA is not good. If you want to get in somewhere, you need something positive to offset it. Doing well on the GRE is one possibility. Also, I recommend doing what you want. She can go get a Master’s degree if that’s what she wants.
With the GPA you have, it would be much wiser to work for a few years and use that work experience to help you overcome the poor academic record. You will have to take the GRE anyway though but it is not a big deal as there are ways to effectively prepare for it. More importantly, since you really have no excuses for your poor grades, you will need to gain some maturity before attempting a graduate program. Maintaining a 3.0/4.0 is a requirement to stay in a graduate program and it sounds like you are not ready to do that yet.
What field is this? I am worried by colleges that don’t require the GRE. I thought it was universal. You don’t want to get into a Master’s program just because you find someone will take your money. You do it because it fits a goal. Many times working first will give you insight into what direction you would like to go with and what is the right credential for that… No one should get a Master’s because their mother told them to and what business is it of hers if you take the GRE or not? Is she qualified to make this determination? Did you ask your profs about this?
First of all, I’m worried that it appears that your graduate choices are being directed by your mom. She wants you to apply to a master’s program but not to take the GRE? Why does she not want you to take the GRE - but more importantly, why is she bent on you applying to a master’s program? Do you actually want to, or are you just going along with her wishes? A master’s program is an expensive endeavor if you don’t have a direction or idea of what you want to do with it.
Your options will be very limited if you don’t want to take the GRE, as most reputable graduate programs require it. This is even more true since your GPA is low. And what @BrownParent says is right - you don’t go to a master’s program just to go; you go because you want to enter some field that requires it, and simply going to the first program that admits you won’t help you.
During my grad school research, a lot of programs require the GRE and a minimum GPA of 3.0. They say they’ll listen to you if you have lower with a really good reason, but you said you don’t have one. Also, it’s not your mom’s decision. If you aren’t making the choice, don’t apply. It will be readily apparent that your heart isn’t in it. I’m guessing you are 21+? It’s time to decide what the best plan is for you. Only you can do that.
Its is not that I don’t want to study for a master. I feel like I won’t make to a program even if I get a good GRE score. So I am not really sure what can I do and that makes me lose motivation. Can anyone tell them if there really a hope and what should I be doing. I feel like if there is a option I can really get motivated and work for it. One of the reasons I had a low gpa was because I didn’t think I was going for a master. Now I realized how a master could help me in my future. I know I discover it late and I am really disappointed with myself.
What field are you planning to go into? What kind of work do you want to do?