Should I take the GRE?

[chacy1600]

I am a Biology major at UMKC. I will be applying next fall to a graduate program offered at 5 schools in the nation. All 5 of the schools accept the MCAT, but 3 also accept the GRE. Ideally, I would like to apply to all 5 schools, to increase my chances of being accepted, as the program is highly competitive at all of them. However, I've recently been considering taking the GRE, in hopes of scoring in a higher percentile than I might be able to score on the MCAT.

My reasoning for this is that the GRE is rumored to be somewhat easier than the MCAT (I haven't taken or prepared for either, so I don't have much personal opinion on this.) I also am more of a natural at the the material covered in the GRE than I am in that covered in the MCAT. Granted, I'm a Bio major, so I will have spent more time getting familiar with MCAT material in the last few years. Anyway, I'm still wondering if it wouldn't be easier for me to do really well on the GRE than it would be to do really well on the MCAT.

Here's the problem. I'm going to have to take the MCAT regardless of whether or not I decide to take the GRE, in order to apply to all 5 schools. This being a decision I've made - I'm taking next summer off, and devoting it to studying for the MCAT. That only leaves me this winter break of time off to devote to intense studying for the GRE. I would also have some intermittent time to study in the fall I suppose, but I will be taking a full load of upper level classes at that time also. In addition, I could probably start studying now, although, again, it would only be here and there. I would probably end up taking the GRE sometime after winter break - so that I'd still be fresh off of studying.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether this is a good idea or not? Is it enough time to prepare, and do well? I'm hoping to score at bare minimum 1300, and would really prefer to break 1500 (I know, lofty goal.) Anywhere in the middle would make me happy though.

[GRE Lover]

If the MCAT is really more difficult than GRE, that's how it will be for everyone.

Email the schools you are eyeing and ask them what their cut off scores are. That should help you decide whether the scores are achievable for you or no, given the timeframe you have available.

[chacy1600]

Well the "average" scores of accepted students are reported to be around 1250 for GRE and I think somewhere around 26 for MCAT. However, I'm gathering that these numbers are a little low in terms of what I should be striving towards as a goal. I've scoured this forum for length of study times and corresponding scores - and I think it may be possible to attain a 1300+ out of 4 weeks of intense studying.

[chacy1600]

Okay, so I just took the Powerprep test. Scored a 1230, pretty evenly split between verbal and quant. Given these numbers - I'm thinking a goal of 1300-1400 is pretty well within my grasp if I study for 4 week solid. Does this seem realistic?

[eflect]

Thats a positive sign and it would be suggestive you start your preparation at the earliest and have a good preparation.Wishing you all the very best.