Mediocrity

I think the GRE isn't nearly as important as some make it out to be. If you are a solid student, with a great GPA, and research experience; I'd apply to the schools you want to. You likely wont find a school that says "we don't care", but outside of the top tier, I think you are fine (but most will require you to submit the score). Look at MaudDib above. Purdue is an outstanding school and they don't require it (probably because they are smart enough to realize a good chemist isn't necessarily a great test taker).

I think your application looks strong for your choices. All the work outside of school is a nice addition, and if the publication is being written, I'd still add it to the CV (just label it correctly). Also, your GRE scores are high, and your GPA is ok. I'd always add one or two backup schools if you don't feel comfortable, but I think you have a fine chance. Make sure where ever you apply, there are multiple PI's you would want to work for! Good Luck

I apologize for any confusion. What I meant by that statement is that the majority (the large majority) of foreign students take the Chem GRE for acceptance into school, especially at the more prestigious university's. The quotes were meant to imply that foreign students almost seem expected to take it, but it isn't an actual requirement. From my experience, its about 50:50 with American students taking the exam. Few schools actually require it, but it looks nice if you can do well on it. You should be fine for the exam. A large majority of the inorganic questions are similar to the Gen Chem questions. Most of the organic is simple, but gets harder as you go. The analytical ranged from sig-fig questions all the way up to Van Deetmter questions. Have a strategy and stick to it. I can't recall exactly, but I don't think you get discounted for not answering a question, but you will should you get it wrong. I went in with that in mind, started to freak out at the end when time was running low and answered a lot of things I should have left blank. The thermodynamics got me bad! Good Luck

You shouldn't count yourself out based on research experience. Most students don't have publications upon entering grad schools (you realize how little you actually know about chemistry in the first year ?, it's a giant learning curve). There are a ton of schools out there (not just MIT and Yale) that take students with all different levels of experience. If you want to do a masters go ahead, but it will add 2 years of schooling should you go to pursue a PhD after. If you want to obtain a PhD I'd go that route and find some schools were you think you would stand a chance. You can be (and there are a ton) extremely successful scientist without going to a top tier school. Masters aren't less selective, there just aren't many options. Some students choose to go that route if they are unsure about the commitment of a PhD. Some come back to a masters after being in the workforce for a while and others just want a masters. If this is something you love and a PhD is the end goal, then just apply for it.

I can't recall if physics was a required course for my gradschool. It is usually a requirement for a BS in chemistry. I've never seen a school where one can major in chemistry without taking the intro physics as they aid in the future Pchem classes. So I don't think it is a gradschool requirement, but rather an undergraduate degree requirement and obviously the degree is needed for gradschool. Did I help?

I love that Princeton is mid-teir, lol. Your stats look great and I don't think your ChemGRE will hurt. First author paper will help that a lot, but then again, I don't go to CalTech, so maybe the score could hurt?

There really isnt great test prep material for this test. If you took decent notes I would go through those. The test itself is not super difficult, but requires a good bit of knowledge. If you were able to take each section right after finishing a class, you'd smoke it. Trying to recall some weird organic mechanism (when you hate organic, lol) can be difficult a year later. I took the exam as a third year student and it was difficult. I had only taken one semester of Pchem and had not taken inorganic yet. I struggled but wanted to get it out of the way. In the end I did not use score as I wasn't happy with it and I got into all the schools I applied to. From my understanding and experience, the exam tends to be somewhat of a "pre-req" for foreign students, and they usually do quite well on it. The schools you list will likely require high scores, as your competition will be greater, but you can look at the results pages here to get an idea of what successful applicants made. Also, get involved with research as quickly as you can.

Agreed with the above. They are looking more at the fact that you have some experience in the lab. You will notice in grad school that some people will quit (I was surprised by the number). People have different expectations and needs and sometimes grad school doesn't fit these needs). Being a top academic student doesn't always translate into being a great scientist. Having experience in the lab shows a prospective school that you have some experience in the long, sometimes difficult journey you are about to embark on. Schools want students who will excel in the lab, undergraduate research is a great way to show that you have prepped for this journey.

Job opportunities for patent lawyers are plentiful , and the pay can reach large numbers as well. As the above mentioned, most get a PhD and then go to law school. The large amount of schooling and fact that you will litigate cases makes it lose some appeal as most of us who enter grad school enjoy the science. However, people do find out they aren't in love with the lab and choose that option. You also don't need to go to law school to have a career in law. You only need to go that route if you want to do litigation. Many become patent reviewers or technology experts where they can lend their knowledge to the field, make decent pay and stay out of the courtroom. Law is a pretty intense field, that has seen a drastic increase in students going that route; but there will always be a niche for patent lawyers. You can also get a BS in chemistry and go straight to law school (you don't have to have a PhD).

Inorganic was a difficult one for me, but my undergraduate inorganic was a terrible, lackluster class. Analytical was easy, but I was well prepped for that exam (had great undergraduate analytical and instrumental classes). Good Luck!