Jump to content

Odds of Getting into Analytical Chem Programs


brooksja5

Recommended Posts

Hello all! 

I'm currently looking for some advice from you guys.  I'm at the point where I need to start narrowing down where I plan to apply.  With the following credentials, what do you guys think my odds are for getting into certain programs (also following!)?

GPA: 3.96/4.0 @ a small liberal arts college in south central MN

 

GRE: 153V/159Q/4AW

Chem GRE: Have not taken yet, Oct 19

Research: Spent summer @ Northwestern synthesizing nanoparticles (REU Program), Will have 1 full year of "in-semester" research once I graduate.

Schools I plan on applying to:

University of Minnesota
University of Illinois, Urbana
Purdue

UW Madison

Iowa State
UNC Chapel Hill

Indiana U


What do you guys think? Thanks!!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You have a good chance at all of those schools but your minimal research experience will hurt you. To make up for it, speak well of what motivated you to pursue a Ph. D and prove to them you can excel in a research environment. Having a rec from your adviser at NW will help. An additional rec letter related to outreach, or teaching, will also be good as it shows your passion towards chemistry.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I responded to this in another thread, I believe, but other than what I said there:

 

I wouldn't say that a full year of undergrad research plus an internship is minimal, especially considering that a lot of internships and even opportunities within a university might expect junior and senior level students. I had about the equivalent--two internships and only 1 semester at my university--and it certainly didn't seem to hurt me--I only applied to three places, largely based on location, but that includes two on your list and all three gave competitive offers.  There will definitely be people with more, but there will be people with less, too.  If your research advisor writes a strong letter for you, I'd say that goes a very long way to convincing them that you can manage research well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd say low on the research experience, but you can counter balance by showing that you have a very defined interest, and showing how your research relates to what you want to do in grad school. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...

Hello all! 

I'm currently looking for some advice from you guys.  I'm at the point where I need to start narrowing down where I plan to apply.  With the following credentials, what do you guys think my odds are for getting into certain programs (also following!)?

GPA: 3.96/4.0 @ a small liberal arts college in south central MN

 

GRE: 153V/159Q/4AW

Chem GRE: Have not taken yet, Oct 19

Research: Spent summer @ Northwestern synthesizing nanoparticles (REU Program), Will have 1 full year of "in-semester" research once I graduate.

Schools I plan on applying to:

University of Minnesota

University of Illinois, Urbana

Purdue

UW Madison

Iowa State

UNC Chapel Hill

Indiana U

What do you guys think? Thanks!!

You could talk about the potential analytical projects of interest in your personal statement.

Also, you want to get LoRs from analytical faculty, I had 3 LoRs from full tenured analytical professors (separation, spectroscopy, mass spec) when I applied two years ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use