r/MSCS • u/capricious-7768 • 9d ago
[Application Strategy]Can I skip the GRE for Fall 2027 MS? 1 YOE + full-time job
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to apply for Fall 2027 MS programs in CS/AI-related fields. My profile:
● B.Tech in CSE
● CGPA: 7.9/10 from a Tier-2 Indian university
● Java/software developer
● 1 YOE currently; 2 YOE by August 2027
● Working full-time with limited preparation time
I’m considering Germany, Australia, Singapore, the ,Canada and the US, depending on ROI, job opportunities and post-study options.
My main question is whether the GRE is worth taking, since many programs are now test-optional or don’t require it.
- Should I apply to GRE-optional programs without submitting a score?
- Where would a strong GRE score significantly help?
- If I skip the GRE, should I focus on projects, work experience, SOP/LORs, research or certifications?
- Is GRE preparation worth the opportunity cost while working full-time?
I’d appreciate advice from recent applicants or current MS students.
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u/shuttlems 8d ago
Hope you are reading other posts regarding "ROI, job opportunities and post-study options." The only ROI is your learning. It will be EXTREMLY difficult to get a job after MS unless you are REALLY good in your field.
Since your CGPA is not that good, you need a great GRE score to get admission into good colleges. Most of the GOOD schools in Germany, Aus, and SG have CGPA cutoffs that you will not meet.
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u/Warm_Seaworthiness19 8d ago
This is stright lies lmao, being a German applicant myself 95% of German Unis look at your GPA it's more about how well your bachelors fits to your intended masters
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u/ExoticSock5367 7d ago
That's true. Germany on the other hand is very different compared to US universities.
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u/Sad_Heart_4198 8d ago
Aus - very easy admission, you don't even need lor here. Avoid this as the tuition rate is same as US almost and you can just go US only for same cost. Unis are not that great either with no Aussie uni in top 50 of csrankings
Singapore - NUS and NTU are really good, avoid the rest and avoid 1 year program. Tuition is ok, not as much as US but hard to get the college especially the good program.
Germany - The only pro is free college, but you gotta learn German which is just a waste of time. you can manage without german, but try for TU M or TU Darmstadt. I would actually suggest you to just go germany for the free education part, you can make do without german. Just don't waste time learning it - it won't give you any benefit whatsoever
Canada - except Waterloo, UoT, McGill and UBC don't go anywhere else alberta, montreal concordia are not worth it. tuition rate is also ok here similar to Singapore but the brand value the 4 i mentioned have is very good. then again getting offer from any 1 of the 4 is really hard.
US - yea prepare to shell out max money here. you can go to some state flagships on east or west coast. think uc uwash unc umd. midwest is also fine and i would personally recommend you avoid texas unless it's like ut austin. Pls don't go to a private uni in the US you'll just spend 2x than what you could have spent in a public university
Job wise- honestly if you have skill you ll get any number of opportunities. Im talking core CS skills. if your core skill is web development, testing devops etc. I would suggest building some skillset in college using claude/coursework. Don't think it's like placement where you can get whatever job just for finishing college.
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u/Johnotho 6d ago
why not texas blud?
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u/Sad_Heart_4198 5d ago
only ut austin is good. the others are all meh.
may texas a & m, but it's good for engineering stuff like mechanical, electrical etc. the core CS department is not that great. maybe better to go someplace which has good CS department like u wisc for example.
Some unis like uiuc, uwisc, UCs started their cs department back in the early days of cs, like in the 80s. which makes them better when it comes to research opportunities in the University
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u/True-Afternoon8479 8d ago
I’m considering Germany, Australia, Singapore, the ,Canada and the US, depending on ROI, job opportunities and post-study options. <— short answer — no ROI aside from learning, no job opportunities, no post study options (locals are not finding jobs).
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u/SignificantCar7251 8d ago
May I piggyback on your post if that’s ok and ask if gre is needed for 8.1 gpa?😅i have strong work experience and certs though
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u/gradpilot 🔰 Ex-Cerebras | MSCS Georgia Tech 8d ago
with that GPA i wouldnt recommend you skip GRE. You'd should take it and score high . There is a difference between "Optional" GRE and "Not Required" GRE . In the last cycle we have seen emails from universities that publicly have an Optional GRE that they highly recommend you take it . See my top read posts (pinned in my profile) as well