eric2242

Greeting, I am current a junior and graduating in the Demcember, 2014 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry from West Virginia University. I want to get into the the field of Chemical Engineering but it is too late for me to change major since I don't want to spend any more time in undergrad (my parents are paying for my tuition). My current GPA is 3.1x (I know it is low) because I had a extremely bad semester last Spring and failed 2 of my classes (Biochemistry and Biology), but I got A's for all other classes for that semester. My GPA before that semester was close to 3.5. (I think my major GPA is higher than overall GPA) I realized I pretty much screw up everything now and I am biting my tongue this semester (2013 Fall) and retaking the biochemistry (cannot replace GPA) again and now I am at the top of the class (getting A's). I am also start researching in organic chemistry but the professor just let me work with his grad students and I am not doing any original research now. I still have a little more than a year 'till graduate. I have been researching grad school for a little bit but not a lot, so I am still clueless about the application process (and I will do more definitely). I sincerely hope for advice that what exactly I should do now to improve my chances to get into good graduate chemical engineering program (doesn't have to be Top 20). Facts about me: - current major: chemistry B.S. - intend Grad program: chemical engineering (possibly the phd program) - current GPA: 3.1x - my major GPA is higher than the overall GPA - fail biochemistry but intending to get an A this Fall - I am an international student and speak pretty good English in comparison with the average international student I have met. - I am from Hong Kong. Speak Cantonese>English> mandarin (ranked in fluency) - just start doing research in organic lab this Fall (I am learning a lot), but not original research - I am graduating in December 2012 (little more than one year until grad) - I got A in (general chemistry/ Organic Chem II(A+)/ all organic labs/ physical chemistry 1&2&labs/ Calculus 3(A+)/ Speech class) - I got B in (organic chem I/ organic structure determination) - my math SAT is 790/800 (missed one question because I don't understand the question in English) - I enjoy chemistry very much, and all kind of chemistry, so I pick the kind that I can make a better living. - I do pretty good and enjoy Math, I got a 790/800 in SAT without practicing, I got a A+ in Calculus 3, and I was ranked number 9 in one of the math competition in the whole Texas. - I read slow - I type slow - I think slow but thorough - I do well in Speech class, I am the top speaker in American high school and college speech class that I took. And I enjoy doing it. - I am studying harder than ever trying to do damage control on my GPA. - I cannot afford Master program because I got no money - I spend one year in a high school in Texas as an exchange student, than spend two years in a community college in Washington, than here in Morgantown for WVU. - Although WVU is the number one party school, I only go to one party at the begining I was here and I don't feel I enjoy it so I have not party ever since - I have never got drunk and I don't like people who do. - My TOEFL iBT two years ago was 84. It should be better now. - I am very shy and nervous around people, but it is getting better. - I am the secretary of the Billiards Club this year. I would like to answer any more detail about myself and I hope for useful comments and advice.