What to do?

[Ingrins]

Hey all. So I am graduating from my Univeristy May 2015 with a GPA of 3.2 overall. I eventually want to get a PhD in Microbiology but know I cant do it right away. I have been in the military for the past 6 years and would like to go back after grad school. I guess I am just stuck as to what I should do next? Should I get some lab experience and take classes as a non-matriculating student or should I just take the GRE and go for it? THanks in advance and any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jujubea]

Why can't you do it right away? Not enough experience?

 

You were in the military at the same time as doing your undergrad? Will they allow you to take a break and go back in? Or are you currently enlisted and want to go back in as an officer? Or a a military civilian? Reserves?

 

Regardless of the mil aspect, there are pros and cons to taking the GRE right now. Pro: your brain is fresh with the math and vocab of your undergrad. Con: your critical thinking skills could be underdeveloped (total guess here, they could also be stellar!). Pro: you take it now, you don't have to worry about taking it later. Con: unless you do poorly, and you'll have to shell out $200 again once you're really ready.

 

Also, the options you present don't have to be either/or. You could both gain lab experience and take classes, AND take the GRE and apply to grad school. Kind of a win-win in some ways, because you'll be getting that experience regardless of what's next. You'll be in good shape if you don't get in anywhere, and you'll be in good shape if you do.

 

My humble two cents.

[peachypie]

If you don't feel in your heart ready to go into a program right away...do not do it.  Getting a year or even 2 years of experience after UG before grad school, ESPECIALLY in lab-based programs is a very positive thing.  Many of the interviews I went to were heavily occupied by people who had already graduated from UG and were at least working.  I'd encourage you to take the year if you aren't feeling 100% ready and dip your toes into true full-time research.  Nothing in UG research is equal to day in and day out research in a lab as a job.  If you do feel ready you can go ahead and do it. Also taking the GRE now is fine since you can use it for a few years.  So you can start the process but wait a year too.  Also nothing on the GRE was from my college education, its a standardized test that tests you on algebra aka high school math.  So do it when you feel ready.  A PhD is not something to rush into if you are not ready to do it.  IMO.

 

Also...the deadlines for micro programs begin end of November, and early December for most of them.  If you are not sure now, you don't have a ton of time to crank out a GRE, get letters of LOR, do the research of where and submit apps unless you do this nonstop for the next month.  By now you would at least want some idea of where you are interested in going as well as talking to people you want letters from since you'll need to submit near Thanksgiving...and they need time to write them!

 

Best of luck!