Has anyone gotten into school WITHOUT the GRE?

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Hi all! I was wondering if anyone has known of someone getting into school without taking the GRE. I'm purposely only applying to schools that do not require it, as I did not take it. My college GPA was a 3.90 (+3 minors+student athlete+honors program). Will all of my hard work in college replace my lack of a GRE score, or is it a bad look not having taken it, even to school that it isn't a hard necessity for?

Thanks for all the input!

Specializes in ICU.

Apply to schools that don't require it and don't worry about it.

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Specializes in CRNA.

Apply to the school you were planning on. 288 is ok for a score, you’re right, it’s not great but it’s above 285 so probably not a deal breaker.

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Specializes in CardioThoracic Surgical ICU.
1 hour ago, loveanesthesia said:

Apply to the school you were planning on. 288 is ok for a score, you’re right, it’s not great but it’s above 285 so probably not a deal breaker.

Thank you for replying, it really helps. I was so distraught yesterday when I got my scores back. And the whole test I knew it was coming because I ran out of time in the first section. I almost wanted to tell the proctor, "haha just kidding, I need a redo. I have control of my OCD now and I am ready to really take this horrible test." I went in telling myself that I wouldn't let that test do that, and I feel like I failed myself and all the people that were cheering me on. I thought for sure inferential statistics (got an A) would be what took me out, who knew it would be high school geometry and the arc of a circle with a square inscribed in it. LOL

That's what I keep hearing. Just apply, if they say NO, at least you didn't give yourself a no. So, I'm going to just apply anyway ::fingers crossed:: Duke doesn't have a posted "required score", they don't require one for the rest of their DNP programs, and from what I have been told they rely more heavily on the letters of intent and letters of recommendation. I'm just insane about my grades and scores, and this test got me. I probably could retake it and do great now that I have a better idea of what's coming at me. The issue also being they wouldn't see the new scores in time for it to make a difference. So here's to hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

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Specializes in CRNA.

Duke is a ‘big name’ so will have a lot of applicants. Honestly in the CRNA world the big name universities aren’t known for having the best programs because they often are second priority to a physician residency. If you want to repeat, go ahead and do that and take the scores with you if you interview.

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Specializes in CardioThoracic Surgical ICU.
4 minutes ago, loveanesthesia said:

Duke is a ‘big name’ so will have a lot of applicants. Honestly in the CRNA world the big name universities aren’t known for having the best programs because they often are second priority to a physician residency. If you want to repeat, go ahead and do that and take the scores with you if you interview.

I hadn't actually thought of that... That is an EXCELLENT idea. I am def gonna do that!!

I did have some concern about the clinical rotations and the residents. I see it all the time at UF Health where residents trump the advance practice nurse students. I asked about it at an information session and got a very around the bush answer and the subject was changed rather quickly. I was a little hesitant after the brush off, especially with the price of the program and the name it's made for itself. Nonetheless, I am very involved in research, and while they may have some clinical faux pas, the research and DNP project are very well supported, and the seniors were all very happy with the program. (I have done countless hours of research on schools and visited many more) I was even less impressed by some of the other schools support. They seemed more worried about the quality of their sim lab, and I can tell you first hand intubating a dummy is much different than a person. I would imagine, so is administering spinal blocks, the one dummy i tried it on, the fluid bag was functioning properly and it wasn't a good experience (based on clinical experience in nursing school placing IVs in a dummy). With that said, I would prefer a program with a small simlab and a large clinical hour requirement. Plus, I'm just not getting any younger, I am 36. I wouldn't start school if I get in till I am 37 (which I think is why i was a little frustrated with my performance in the first place), and one of the students called me "old" on accident. Now that you know my whole life story, LOL. Do you have any schools you can suggest?? I would rather have suggestions from people who have actually gone through this...

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The bigger name schools have a heftier price tag as well from what I've seen on here. Paying more money to fight for case time with residents just does not sound appealing to me. My school is around $85K. Duke is $136k. That's 50k more just in tuition.

My school has a small class size and terrific clinical experience. We graduate with a student average of over 1000 cases, and over 3000 anesthesia hours. Multiple rural sites, plenty of regional 200+ blocks, etc. Look for a school like that so when you graduate, you aren't handicapped if you want to practice independently. I shopped around a lot and haunted these forums and nurse-anesthesia.org before it became defunct and picked up a lot of wisdom that helped a lot in picking a school and what to look for. I'm 2 months into my clinical, and I already have my required "10 blocks", and this is without having gone to one of the block heavy rotations that are still upcoming. I can't imagine graduating and feeling proficient only having done just the minimum. Some programs only get you those 10 and done.

I'm also an "older" student, so I get the desire to get it started and get it done. There are many programs that don't require the GRE at all. My school requires it, but my profs say they literally don't look at it, and at this point it's just an added data point and it doesn't factor into admission yet so other schools could be the same. I did get rejected from one school I applied to because my quant score was 148 (I asked why/what I could do to improve and that was their answer), even though my overall was 310 so it does vary school to school.

https://home.coa.us.com/accredited-programs/Pages/CRNA-School-Search.aspx

This site is helpful to compare bare bones numbers and prices between schools.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CardioThoracic Surgical ICU.
2 minutes ago, DreameRN said:

The bigger name schools have a heftier price tag as well from what I've seen on here. Paying more money to fight for case time with residents just does not sound appealing to me. My school is around $85K. Duke is $136k. That's 50k more just in tuition.

My school has a small class size and terrific clinical experience. We graduate with a student average of over 1000 cases, and over 3000 anesthesia hours. Multiple rural sites, plenty of regional 200+ blocks, etc. Look for a school like that so when you graduate, you aren't handicapped if you want to practice independently. I shopped around a lot and haunted these forums and nurse-anesthesia.org before it became defunct and picked up a lot of wisdom that helped a lot in picking a school and what to look for. I'm 2 months into my clinical, and I already have my required "10 blocks", and this is without having gone to one of the block heavy rotations that are still upcoming. I can't imagine graduating and feeling proficient only having done just the minimum. Some programs only get you those 10 and done.

I'm also an "older" student, so I get the desire to get it started and get it done. There are many programs that don't require the GRE at all. My school requires it, but my profs say they literally don't look at it, and at this point it's just an added data point and it doesn't factor into admission yet so other schools could be the same. I did get rejected from one school I applied to because my quant score was 148 (I asked why/what I could do to improve and that was their answer), even though my overall was 310 so it does vary school to school.

https://home.coa.us.com/accredited-programs/Pages/CRNA-School-Search.aspx

This site is helpful to compare bare bones numbers and prices between schools.

Good luck!

Thanks!! That is very helpful. I will check out the link tonight ?

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Thanks for your replies everyone! I've heard back from two schools so far and was offered interviews to both, which I'm ecstatic about. Hopefully everyone else hears back soon too!

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