In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard teamed up with the ETS and the GRE® General Test and reached out to five HBCU Student Government Association presidents from across the country.

The position of SGA president of an HBCU is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes. While interviewing them about leading their campuses during the 2020-2021 school year we also asked them about their next steps and approaches to getting into grad school.

Read what each of them had to say about taking the GRE® General Test.

Ashley Robinson the SGA President of Bennett College

“The GRE is important to take because it assesses your knowledge before going to the next level of studies after undergrad. As a professional or individual, I always like to be the best that I can be. Taking this exam will not only let one challenge themselves by making sure they are as prepared as possible, it will also challenge them to constantly improve themselves after taking the exam. 

Taking the GRE can also help you when seeking funding from institutions as well as help you if you have a less competitive component to a section of your next level studies application. The GRE as a whole benefits the scholar and the institution. The exam has an opportunity to shed light on strengths, weaknesses, readiness, and guidance to the testee!”

Samuel Mendenhall Jr. the SGA President of Stillman College

“Taking the GRE is pertinent because it’s opens gateways to a plethora opportunities for you, like securing you merit-based fellowship. Also your score is good for up to five years, so even if you aren’t ready to make the leap to grad school right away you have time to make a decision! Even if schools aren’t requiring the GRE, it’s best to still take it to at least have a safety net for yourself!”

Traelon Rodgers the SGA President of Dillard University

“The GRE is a standardized test that allows admissions teams to assess skills of quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing. This test has the potential to aid students by creating an equitable playing field for candidates of different backgrounds, as well as compensating for shortcomings of the individual. Additionally, high scores on this test alongside a solid academic background validate the consistency and accuracy of the student’s scholarship.”

Aaliyah Williams the SGA President of Saint Augustine’s University

“I believe it is important for potential graduates who plan on going to grad school to take the GRE because it opens up a lot of opportunities. More grad schools would actually start reaching out to you and it definitely would allow students to get more scholarship money (a free degree is the best degree). So, don’t go in thinking it’s just another test, go in thinking it’s another resource to make sure you continue to be successful while furthering your education.”

Shaun Coleman The SGA President of North Carolina Central University

“Not only is the GRE required for admittance into most graduate programs but I believe taking the GRE helps one determine if they’re prepared or ready for graduate school, first. Taking the GRE also can help boost your graduate school application and assure you that’ll you be in class with the best of the best. The GRE can also be an individual’s opportunity to get into graduate school if they possibly didn’t have the best “educational experience” in undergrad – meaning they didn’t have all A’s or the highest GPA. Overall, the GRE is just another opportunity to enhance your graduate school application that will make you competitive among your peers who might also be applying to graduate school at that time.”

Click here to learn more about the benefits of taking the GRE® General Test.

Follow the GRE on Instagram at @GREgeneraltest to keep up to date on taking the test.

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