Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan is no longer requiring a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test score as part of its admissions requirements. The change is effective for students applying to enroll in summer 2022 and beyond, following a successful year-long pilot of not requiring the GRE for 2021 applicants.
The decision stems from data showing that GRE scores are equivalent with undergraduate grade point averages as predictors of success in graduate school. In addition, taking the GRE can be a significant obstacle for those who have been in the work world and away from standardized testing for a while.
“A GRE score is not the predominant indicator of whether or not a student can handle the rigors of our curriculum and will be a good fit with our community. So it no longer makes sense to put applicants through the time, stress, and cost of preparing for and taking the test,” said Christopher Tremblay, director of admissions.
While the GRE is not required for the next application cycle, candidates must continue to demonstrate quantitative and written communication skills from past professional and academic experiences. Taubman College encourages applicants to dedicate a portion of their essays to illustrating how their experiences have afforded them these skills.
Taubman College is one of the first top architecture and urban planning programs to forego GRE scores as an admissions requirement. The decision is part of Dean Jonathan Massey’s vision to remake architecture and urban planning education in a way that is more equitable. “We’re focused on accelerating what I call equity innovation: academic innovation that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion by making education accessible to a broader range of learners,” said Massey. “Removing a significant barrier to application like a GRE score is one step in the right direction.”
Taubman College is at the forefront of shaping education and industry through its focus on the future and commitment to bettering the profession. As part of the University of Michigan, the dedication to academic excellence for the public good is inseparable from the commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Taubman College joins several other programs within the University of Michigan (U-M) who already have eliminated their GRE requirements. The university is again ranked as the top public university in the world by QS World Rankings, a position it has held since 2016. Within QS World Rankings, Taubman College’s architecture program is ranked in the top 10 in the United States. The urban and regional planning program at Taubman College is ranked among the country’s top 10 urban and regional planning graduate programs, and No. 1 in the Midwest, according to Planetizen’s latest Guide to Graduate Education Programs. In addition, more than 100 U-M graduate programs are ranked in the top 10.
