All rejection from Ph.d -> preparing for MS?

[asdfasdasdf]

Well, I have applied for 17 schools (read the thread below) but i think I will end up getting all rejection.

I have called the graduate office and most of them said that good amount of acceptance letter had been sent out.

 

So I am thinking of Plan B, which is getting into MS (from undergrad school) and prepare for Ph.d after that

 

Do you guys think it is a good idea? idk,, i mean compared to last year it just seems impossible to get into ph.d chem program without any publications now.

 

(BTW those who applied for Uni.of Chicago, check your website, I just checked my rejection letter from there- no email notification)

[SunnygirlDiana]

stop worrying, you havent been rejected from most of your schools. And it is still possible to get admitted without publications if you have strong letters.

Sometimes it takes longer for international students to get admitted...alot of international applicants in my department still considered january as early. You have a chance to hear back in february

As for whether the MS is a good idea, i have no idea. I guess if you really want to go to grad school, you could either do MS, stick it out for anther year in your current research lab and try to get a paper, or try to get a job in R&D in the meanwhile...personally i dont like MS much unless a company can fund you because i dont like classes and tuition is expensive but i'm not sure what schools prefer between these options....

Good luck with your apps though! I'm praying for you~~

[SymmetryOfImperfection]

I got a funded MS. It was the best choice of my life. It gives me a fallback option if I don't want PHD, it gave me valuable skills, and I had experience teaching.

[Monstercookie]

I'm international and I don't have any publications, so I don't think you should worry to much about publications. I would think, in regards to your research, the LORs are what matters. If they describe your work in an attractive way, and they are deemed trustworthy, I doubt a publication makes much of a difference. I think all adcoms will be aware that if an undergrad publishes or not is very much a factor of what kind of projects they get, rather than their own input. 

[Inorganica]

I applied to 16 programs during the Fall 2013 application cycle and I was not admitted to any.  There were a few reasons why this occurred; the main reason being I transitioned from a music major to a chemistry major part way through my undergraduate -- let me tell you, that was tough!  After receiving rejection after rejection, I still wanted to pursue chemistry as a career.  My adviser directed me to go to a terminal, thesis-based chemistry MS program.  This was the best option for reapplying to PhD programs since funding and attention was allocated to the MS students (since there aren't any PhD students).  Here I am now working to finish my thesis, submitting 2 papers for publication, and received a few PhD program offers.

 

Like everyone said above, there are still spots available in this application cycle.  However if things don't pan out, I highly recommend a MS program.  It's only 2 years of your time and if you continue on to a PhD program, some of your graduate courses may be waived which may potentially cut your time down by a year.   All you need to do is buckle down, earn A's, and work hard for your adviser in order to earn those fantastic LORs.  

[SunnygirlDiana]

Hallelujah!

I saw from the main applications thread that you got accepted to Penn State! Congratulations! The prayers worked out it seems! ;P

Now you dont have to worry about this stuff anymore :)