Will MIT and UC Berkeley require me to submit GRE scores for their MS in Computer Science and EECS programs?
MIT does not accept GRE scores for its MS in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and UC Berkeley does not accept them for EECS or Data Science either. Both universities instead evaluate your GPA, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters closely when reviewing your graduate application for admission.
Neither MIT nor UC Berkeley accepts GRE scores for their computer science graduate programs, so you can leave that test off your preparation list for these two schools. Several other well known universities have also moved to optional or waived GRE policies for similar courses. Your GPA, statement of purpose, and recommendations carry the weight instead.
GRE Policy at Leading US Universities for MS Computer Science
| University | Courses Without GRE | GRE Rule |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | Computer Science, Electrical Engineering | Not Accepted |
| Stanford University | MS Computer Science | Not Needed |
| UC Berkeley | EECS, Data Science | Not Accepted |
| Northeastern University | Computer Science, Data Analytics | Optional |
| Boston University | Software Development, Computer Science | Optional |
Other Schools With Flexible GRE Rules
- Purdue University offers a waiver for select engineering courses
- Stevens Institute of Technology treats the GRE as optional for Information Systems and Computer Science
- University of Utah has waived it for Computing and Biomedical Engineering
My Advice
If MIT or UC Berkeley are on your list, put your energy into a strong SOP, solid recommendation letters, and a well documented project portfolio instead of GRE prep. For other schools where the policy is only optional, a good score can still work in your favor if the rest of your profile needs a boost.
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