The Educational Testing Service, makers of the GREs, have developed an ad campaign targeted at undergraduates who do not know what they want to do when they graduate.
In August 2008, ETS began advertising the Graduate Record Examination online, in college newspapers and college dormitories to promote their website, which provides information about the test and why it is best to take it right out of or during college.
‘We are suggesting they consider grad school as an option if they haven’t figured out what they want to do yet,’ GRE Programs Associate Director Dawn Piacentino said.
The average income for people who hold graduate degrees is higher than the average income of people who hold bachelor’s degrees, she said, noting that the best option is to take the GRE while still surrounded by test preparation resources and academic resources.
‘[Students with graduate degrees] are more competitive for employment,’ she said.
ETS spokesman Mark McNutt said GRE test scores are good for five years, so students should take it while things like high school math are still fresh.
‘Part of the campaign is to say, ‘take it now so if you decide you want to take a break, you can come back and not have to worry about buckling down to study,” he said.
Once students start working, making money and collecting bills, responsibilities often make it harder to begin graduate school, making taking the GRE and continuing school after finishing undergraduate programs a better idea, GRE board Chairman Maurice Taylor.
‘You become a much more marketable person,’ he said. ‘It’s one of the best investments that a student can make in themselves.’
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Virginia Sapiro said students should avoid putting too much faith in graduate programs to land them a better job or make them more money because salaries and job placement depend more on the field of study than the level of education.
‘Students should consider going, but it’s only a good option if you know what you want to do and you find the right grad school,’ she said.
Instead, students might consider working a few years to get a better sense of what their options are and what they want to pursue, she said.
College of Communication Assistant Dean Micha Sabovik said in an email that students should weigh their options before applying to graduate school.
‘It is important to personally examine your future expectations in order to determine if graduate school is the appropriate next step,’ she said.