<p>I’ve been reading around the internet, and I found it interesting to come across people essentially demanding that an 800 is NECESSARY to get into top engineering schools. Also looking around the internet and talking with admissions representatives, the average seem to be between 760-780 with only one or two being outside that (MIT and Caltech, but not like 800 average). What do you guys think about this stuff? Do you need an 800 to be competitive?</p>
<p>As far as I’ve heard…</p>
<p>It’s not necessary.
It’s nice though.
It’s not that important.</p>
<p>Engineering programs seem to put more weight on the GRE than do others. Yes, an 800Q will be common for applicants to top engineering programs; however, I’ve been told than anything over 750 will do. If you think about it, it makes sense: first, engineers are more numbers-oriented than most fields, and second, engineers need to be able to make accurate calculations in their heads.</p>
<p>800 is not necessary, but you’ll definitely want 760+ for a top 10 program. There are only a select few programs that you’ll WANT an 800 for (e.g. GT’s ISyE program average is like 795)</p>
<p>That stat about GT’s ISyE program is valid for Ph.D. applicants, which were only a third of the total admitted students. The other two thirds were MS students with aroudn a 770 average.</p>