WHAT TO DO AFTER GRE & GMAT?

Completing GRE or GMAT is an important milestone in the process of applying to universities for students planning to pursue an MS degree, MBA, or other graduate programs abroad. With scores of standardized tests in hand, it marks the beginning of your university application.

After GRE, GMAT or SAT, students need to identify suitable universities, research programs, prepare application documents, arrange recommendation letters, write their Statement of Purpose, update resume and carefully manage application deadlines.

So, what should you do after GRE, GMAT or SAT before applying to universities? The following steps can help you organize the process.

SHORTLIST UNIVERSITIES AND PROGRAMS

The first step after completing GRE or GMAT is to decide where you want to apply. Instead of choosing universities only on the basis of rankings, consider whether the university and program actually match your academic background and career goals.

Find out factors such as University and program reputation, course curriculum, specializations and electives, faculty and research opportunities, internship and employment opportunities, location, tuition fees and living expenses, scholarships and financial assistance, admission requirements, application deadlines etc.

Your GRE or GMAT score should be considered as one of the several factors, but not the only basis for selecting universities. It is advisable to divide universities into categories such as ambitious, realistic and safer options and thereby create a balanced application strategy.

CHECK UNIVERSITY-SPECIFIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Different universities have varied admission requirements, and their application criteria can vary significantly even when two institutes offer similar programs. So, after taking GRE or GMAT, visit the official websites of your shortlisted programs and make a checklist of their requirements.

These may include GRE or GMAT scores, academic transcripts, resume or CV, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, TOEFL/IELTS test scores, application essays, work experience, portfolio or additional documents such as financial and bank statements.

Some universities may not require GRE or GMAT, while others may have specific score expectations. Therefore, students should check the current requirements rather than relying on information found on older websites or forums.

PREPARE YOUR RESUME

Your resume for university applications is different from a CV prepared solely for a job application. An academic or graduate-school resume should present your education, professional experience, projects, achievements, leadership activities, research, internships, certifications and relevant extracurricular activities in a clear manner. Most importantly, the CV should not exceed one page.

Do not simply list everything you have done. Think about which experiences demonstrate your suitability for the program. For example, an engineering student applying for a technology-related master's program might emphasize technical projects, internships, research work, programming experience and relevant achievements.

The resume should also complement your SOP rather than simply repeating it.

IDENTIFY SUITABLE RECOMMENDERS

Another important task after GRE or GMAT is selecting people who can provide your Letters of Recommendation or LOR. Depending on the program, suitable recommenders may include professors, employers, managers, project supervisors, or other professionals who know your academic or professional abilities well.

A senior person with an impressive designation is not necessarily the best recommender if they barely know you. When selecting recommenders, consider whether they can provide specific examples of your academic ability, analytical skills, leadership, teamwork, research ability, professional performance, problem-solving skills, potential for graduate study.

Give your recommenders sufficient time and provide them with relevant information about your achievements, projects, career goals, resume and the programs you are applying to.

START WORKING ON YOUR SOP

Statement of Purpose or SOP is one of the most important and difficult parts of university applications. The SOP should explain why you want to pursue the particular program, how your previous academic or professional experiences have prepared you for it, and what you hope to achieve in future.

A good SOP is not simply a biography. Instead, it should establish a logical connection between your past, present and future. A student’s previous experiences should explain his current interests, while one’s current interests should lead naturally towards future academic and career objectives.

Students should also research the university and program carefully before writing the SOP. Generic statements submitted to any university are usually less effective than essays demonstrating a genuine understanding of the specific program and university facilities.

MAKE SURE SOP AND LOR COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER

Your SOP and LOR should not tell exactly the same story. The SOP is an opportunity for you to explain your own motivation, academic interests, experiences, and goals, while LOR provides an external perspective on your abilities and potential.

For example, your SOP might explain why you became interested in a particular field, while a professor's recommendation could provide evidence of your analytical ability through a specific academic project. This makes the overall application much more convincing.

ARRANGE ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS & OTHER DOCUMENTS

Do not wait until the application deadline to collect important documents. Start arranging academic transcripts, degree certificates, GRE or GMAT score reports, TOEFL/ IELTS test scores, if required, resume, LORs, SOP, certificates of achievements, internship documents, employment records, where relevant, passport and identification documents. Check whether universities require scanned copies, certified documents, official transcripts or documents sent directly by your institution.

RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

The period after GRE or GMAT is also a good time to find out university specific costs of studying abroad. Calculate not only tuition fees but also accommodation, food, transportation, insurance, books, visa expenses and other living costs.

Look for available merit-based scholarships, need-based financial assistance, assistantships, fellowships, education loans. Some scholarships have deadlines that are earlier than the general university application deadline. Therefore, scholarship research should be part of your application planning rather than something you do after receiving an admission offer.

CREATE AN APPLICATION DEADLINE CALENDAR

Applying to several universities can be hugely confusing because each institution has different requirements and deadlines. Create a simple spreadsheet containing university, program deadline, documents and actions required. This can prevent missed deadlines and help you track which documents have already been submitted in a planned manner.

REVIEW THOROUGHLY BEFORE SUBMISSION

Finally, do not submit your application immediately after completing the documents. Read the entire application as if you were an admissions officer. Check whether your GRE/GMAT score, academics, resume, SOP, LORs, achievements and career goals present a consistent picture.

Look for spelling mistakes, inconsistent dates, incorrect university names, formatting problems, missing documents, and unanswered questions. Most importantly, make sure you are not submitting the same generic SOP or essay to every university without adapting it to the specific program.

OUR OPINION

The period after clearing GRE, GMAT or SAT should be used strategically to build a strong and coherent university application. Students often spend months preparing for the GRE or GMAT but underestimate the amount of work required after the test. Starting the application process early gives you enough time to improve your documents and create a more thoughtful application.

A strong university application is not simply a collection of a good test score and academic documents. It should present a clear story about who you are, what you have achieved, why you want to study the chosen program, and what you intend to do with that education in the future.

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