13 August 2025
5 minutes read
GRE Waiver Universities In USA for Indian Students: List Of Universities Waiving Off GRE in Fall 2024 – 2025

Key Takeaways
- GRE waiver universities in USA allow applicants to skip the GRE requirement if they meet specific academic or professional criteria.
- GRE waiver universities in USA offer flexibility to candidates with strong GPAs, relevant work experience, or advanced degrees.
- GRE waiver universities in USA help reduce application stress, cost, and preparation time for eligible students.
Did you know that over 100 universities in the United States will be implementing GRE waivers for some programs in 2025? Universities realize that test scores are not the singular best way to understand how successful a candidate can be.
For several of candidates, specifically international candidates, the GRE had been a significant barrier to application—sometimes costing money, taking time, and causing anxiety to an already arduous application process.
How to Look for the List of Universities Without GRE Standardized Test for 2025 Admissions?
Navigating the ever-increasing list of universities for GRE waivers is challenging. There are different eligibility requirements and policies on a program by program basis, and many candidates are clamoring to find accurate information. However, knowing which universities are switching and how you can qualify for a waiver may help open the doors to the graduate program of your dreams.
What Is A GRE Waiver at US Universities Waiving off GRE and GMAT?
A GRE waiver permits students to forgo the GRE score submission requirement as part of their graduate program application.
Numerous universities, particularly elite universities including Stanford University, University of Illinois, Northeastern University, University of California and Columbia University, are offering this new opportunity specifically for MS in Computer Science or related graduate programs.
From the perspective of both domestic and international students, this is a significant push forward as not only does it not require taking the GRE, it eliminates one more stressful standardized-test from the graduate program application experience.

For individuals who are in the application process for a graduate program in 2025, many universities have changed their admission policies to remove the GRE requirement. Specifically, this means students can apply to their desired program and not have to deal with requiring GRE scores.
As the landscape of acceptance without GRE scores adapts, please stay informed on which universities have this policy in place, so you reduce the chance of missing a chance to apply to a program without the GRE score requirement.
How Can You Get A GRE Waiver at Universities in USA?
Many universities in the USA are now allowing students to apply to graduate programs without requiring GRE test scores In 2025. This trend is sometimes described as a GRE waiver that enables applicants to avoid taking the GRE or GMAT that would typically be mandatory.
Many universities in the US have waived off GRE criteria and now make the GRE optional for many programs; especially for spring 2024 and fall 2024 admissions. Many private research universities and public universities now offer students the opportunity to apply without GRE scores.
To obtain a GRE waiver, applicants will want to determine whether the university has such a policy. Some universities may have waived the GRE criteria for a specific program (i.e., MS program in Computer Science) and still require GRE scores for other programs.
It is important to confirm whether your grad program has waived the GRE or whether you will be required to take GRE or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). By researching the 2024 admissions criteria to determine which universities have waived GRE and GMAT requirements to make your application process easier.
List Of GRE Waiver Universities in USA Waiving Off GRE Test Score For International Students In Fall 2024 – 2025
In 2025, several top universities in the United States have allowed international students to apply without requiring GRE scores. For many international students, this has alleviated pressure from the burdensome process of fulfilling standardized-testing requirements due to time limitations, lack of availability, or financial factors.

Many American universities have determined that students can demonstrate their academic potential through other avenues, such as work experience, or your academic transcript, and subsequently waived this requirement for other grad programs that would typically be published with GRE requirements.
To many international students this means that you are no longer required to take a GRE in order to be considered for your program, including those in competitive programs such as MS in Computer Science. Several elite institutions large and small, public and private, have waived the GRE requirements for the 2025 admissions cycle.
Some colleges and universities in the USA have also waived to submit GRE score requirements in programs in the spring 2024 and fall 2024 terms.
For students who are relieved to be applying to study at universities in the USA without the stress of submitting GRE test scores, it can be important to find specific universities or programs that explicitly stated they have relaxed GRE requirements, i.e., waived GRE, made GRE optional.
The “waiving” of GRE, and GMAT requirements for that matter, continues to be a developing idea that offers applicants flexibility with their applications by offering students to demonstrate qualities without standardized testing.
The following table provides an overview of the universities, and the program requirements for a GRE waiver.
University | Program Offering GRE Waiver | GRE Waiver Criteria |
---|---|---|
Stanford University | MS in Computer Science | High GPA and relevant work experience |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | MS in Engineering | Exceptional academic background |
Harvard University | PhD in Sciences | Research experience |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | MS in Physics | Strong academic record |
Columbia University | MS in Data Science | Professional experience and relevant coursework |
University of California, Berkeley | MS in Electrical Engineering | Relevant work experience |
University of Chicago | MBA Program | Leadership experience and high academic standing |
Princeton University | MS in Mathematics | Previous academic achievements |
Yale University | MS in Public Health | Relevant professional background |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | MS in Mechanical Engineering | High GPA and research experience |
University of Pennsylvania | MS in Finance | Relevant industry experience |
Duke University | MS in Economics | Academic excellence and research work |
University of Southern California | MS in Artificial Intelligence | Exceptional academic record |
New York University (NYU) | MS in Marketing | Industry experience |
Cornell University | MS in Biomedical Engineering | High academic standing |
Conclusion
Universities are increasingly offering GRE waivers (allowing you to apply to graduate school without taking the GRE) for 2025 admissions.
This is a great opportunity for students (both domestic and international) because they can provide schools with qualifies like work experience, academic experience, and leadership experience instead of a standardized test, emphasizing the value of this information for applicants.
Knowing which universities have waived the GRE can assist you if you are applying for an MS in Computer Science or for any other grad program. If you know certain US universities that waives GRE requirements, use it to help decrease the friction in your pathway to graduate school.
Make sure to stay up to date on your situations to take advantage of the universities that waive the GRE and maximize your chances of being admitted outside of the standardized tests.
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FAQs
What are GRE waiver universities in USA?
GRE waiver universities in USA are institutions that exempt certain applicants from submitting GRE scores. Many GRE waiver universities in USA grant this based on strong academic or professional backgrounds.
How can I qualify for GRE waiver universities in USA?
You can qualify for GRE waiver universities in USA through high GPA, relevant work experience, or prior advanced degrees. GRE waiver universities in USA review each application individually for eligibility.
Why should I apply to GRE waiver universities in USA?
Applying to GRE waiver universities in USA saves time and money by skipping GRE preparation and fees. Many GRE waiver universities in USA also streamline their admissions process for waiver applicants.
Do all programs in GRE waiver universities in USA offer waivers?
Not all programs in GRE waiver universities in USA provide GRE waivers, as eligibility varies by field. Applicants should confirm with GRE waiver universities in USA before applying.
Are GRE waiver universities in USA good for international students?
Yes, GRE waiver universities in USA often admit international students without GRE scores. Many GRE waiver universities in USA instead focus on academic transcripts and language proficiency.
How do I request a waiver from GRE waiver universities in USA?
To request a waiver from GRE waiver universities in USA, applicants must follow the school’s official process. Most GRE waiver universities in USA require proof of qualifications to grant a waiver.
Can GRE waiver universities in USA still admit me if I submit a GRE score?
Yes, GRE waiver universities in USA can accept applicants who choose to submit GRE scores. However, GRE waiver universities in USA do not require it for eligible candidates.

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