lellies

Agreed, it's a sign of the economic times we live in, I guess. I'm not letting that derail me though, I've already decided I want to focus on a computational project for my MS thesis. 3 years in an experimental lab with a 1st author publication should be enough to prove that I know my hands-on chemistry, and any employer who automatically dismisses me because I did not do a MS with the same group is devoid of reason, and possibly not someone who I'd want to work for anyway. Just my two cents, of course.

I always hear about people in chemistry/physics going into business, but what sort of jobs exactly? I'm open to the idea, I'm just unsure of what exactly I would be doing in that environment. I know it's because the analytical/mathematical background in chemistry and physics is helpful, but what are the actual positions usually occupied by these types of people? You don't think a first-author publication from a biophysics lab which I spent 2.5-3 years in would be significant in this regard? I know this would possibly be the case if I were a comp. chem PhD looking for non-academic positions, but I'm curious how my ~3 years of actual bench work will play in. Do you think it will help? Thanks so far for the responses guys, you're being very helpful!

Going off of the statistics on the webpage you provided, I'm not sure a 0.4% difference is definitive enough to make the claim that the MS is unfavorable to the BS; I think they are on more level playing fields with each other, which agrees with your statement that there is no clear-cut advantage (besides earnings). In 2012, BS chemists were unemployed by 0.5% more, so I would agree that it is random variability. Can anyone comment on how my research experience (both past and upcoming) will play into future job security? Thanks to those who have answered already. I am worried that my next two years being spent working in computational chemistry for the MS may cost me job opportunities in industry.

Hey everyone. I just graduated this past May with a BS in chemistry and an AS in mathematics after only getting into one of the schools I applied to for a PhD in p-chem/biophysics (I only applied to top programs with no backups, as I was assured I would have no trouble getting in as a strong student/researcher). Due to foreseen funding issues with the project most interesting to me, I decided to not put myself in a potentially bad situation and declined the offer. I graduated at the top of my class in chemistry with awards/honors, and my undergrad university offered me a research assistantship (no teaching responsibility, unless there is a shortage of TAs) to fund my two-year Masters in Chemistry. After doing some serious thinking over the summer, I realized that maybe a PhD is not for me, as academia was my goal, but I know faculty positions are becoming harder and harder to secure. I have decided not to reapply for PhD programs this coming season, but to finish the MS and go find a job. I spent so much time looking up information on career outlooks for PhDs, that I know little of the actual situation (aside from ACS statistics) for BS and MS chemists. Here's a little bit about my research experience: -4 semesters and 2 summers working in a biophysical chemistry lab. I became proficient with circular dichroism, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV, fluorescence, as well as a lot of surface modification techniques; of course there was a lot of data analysis (Igor pro and Mathematica). -I am currently working on a paper to hopefully submit by September about the aforementioned work. I am first author (out of three). I am planning to start working under a different prof. for my MS to explore other avenues of chemistry. Since I am very math-oriented, I chose to stick with physical chemistry, but will be working for a computational chemistry group. Is this a bad idea? I am hoping that the diverse experience will boost my resume, but I know the "laissez faire" nature of computational work might not be attractive to employers in industry. Keep in mind I have 2 school years and 2 summers in the biophysical chem lab under my belt. Plus, all of my hands-on experience is in spectroscopic techniques, with only limited experience in chromatography. Will I be able to secure a job after I leave with my MS? Should I stay away from computational work for my thesis? Any advice is appreciated. In return, I can offer tips about the upcoming application season, having gone through 5 or 6 applications last season. Thanks a lot in advance. I can supply additional information if needed for a better idea (GPA, courses taken, etc.). EDIT: I also plan to sharpen my skills in Python and learn other programming languages before I'm done with the MS. I'm still a noob with Python, but I'm trying to teach myself at a steady pace

Does anyone else have any input? All great advice so far, thank you.

Yes, I've just graduated in May. This summer I am working on submitting my publication as previously mentioned. My university offered me a research fellowship for next year, so I registered as a MS student but they know I am just reapplying to PhD programs. Beats sitting around, plus I'll have even more experience.

Princeton requires the subject test, but that is all. And I did receive an award for the top graduating chemistry major in my class (with respect both to GPA and research activity), but I go to a small primarily liberal arts university (curriculum is ACS certified, obviously), so I don't know how much that will weigh in, although I have taken and done well in graduate courses in Statistical Thermodynamics and Electrochem. In an ideal situation, I would spend my summer finishing the work that needs to be done to submit this publication (first author) and just hone in on studying for the general GRE again. I don't want to have to study for the chemistry GRE if I really don't have to (the subject test was painful, in my opinion, too much Organic )

All good advice, thank you. I have seen from this website, as well as people I know personally,that others have gotten into the same schools with similar, or even lower, subject GRE scores. But my quantitative GRE score seems objectively subpar. I didn't really take preparing for the general GRE seriously because I may have underestimated its importance since I didn't have any publications last time. This is why I think I may see a significant increase in my general scores if I devote the time to review. Also, I've since graduated at the top of my class at my university and now have an award or two to bolster my applications, although I know it won't make a huge difference lol

@Waterboy21 I'm looking to apply to Upenn, UNC, Princeton, NYU, and possibly Rutgers (New Brunswick). @Alkylholic I know what you mean, but I was able to speak to faculty at 2 schools I was rejected from and both said my quant GRE score was lower than the quant score of most of the incoming students in the physical division (made no mention of subject GRE score). I think if I increase my quant score just from 65th to at least 75th percentile, I will be waaay more competitive assuming this publication works out well and is submitted by the time I apply. Edit: As a follow up statement, the reason I was only accepted to one school and given am offer to do an MS at another is because I didn't have any "safety" schools. I aimed for all highly ranked schools in which I thought may be a good fit, and was told I should get into most but here I am now -.-

Hi all, I was an applicant for the Fall 2014 admission season, but only got into one of my choice programs, and due to anticipated troubles with funding, I decided to decline my lone offer and reapply for the next coming cycle. I have already taken the chemistry GRE, and I scored in the 51st percentile. I was planning to focus most of my time on studying for the quantitative general GRE, since that was my main issue last cycle (I only scored 65th percentile for the quantitative section, 73rd percentile in verbal). I guess the main question is, should I focus all of my attention into drastically increasing my quantitative score of 65th percentile, or buckle down and spend some time trying to beat my previous subject score of 51st percentile? I've read over and over that the subject GRE for domestic applicants, as a general rule, should be at least 50th percentile, and after that it's not much of a factor. I know my quantitative score has to increase, since I want to go into pchem. I don't want to spend the money/time studying for the subject test again if my current score is "good enough." Also, I should have a first author publication submitted by the time the next application season rolls around, I had no publications last time. Thanks for reading through my dilemma, and thanks also in advance for the help!

For Yale I actually mentioned two groups interested in solar energy (physical), and one group from the biophysics department. I'm interested in renewable energy projects, but my undergrad research has been in biophysical chemistry/biophysics (still interested in). I hope I don't come across as not specific enough with respect to my goals. Anyway, I heard Yale should have another wave of decisions this coming week; probably the final batch. That part is just my guess ,but I heard from multiple people that they will be making more decisions next week.

Batting 0/2 here so far. Just got rejected from Weill Cornell Medical College for biophysics yesterday (not chemistry, but I thought I'd share). I wasn't extremely excited about their program, so that may have come across in my personal statement, considering I was only interested in 2 PIs there and I applied last-minute. Waiting on Penn and Yale, but not keeping my hopes up for this year

I heard from someone else that notifications would be coming around the end of next week, but I am not 100% sure on that. And on another side note: the forecast for this weekend is calling for another round of snow storms, so this may delay decisions even further. Just even more proof that there are too many variables to account for when predicting expected timeframes of decisions!

I'm in the same boat with no acceptances, you're not alone! By any chance, did they say how soon? I'd imagine schools in the northeast are all being screwed up by this weather we're having.

Congrats to everyone who heard from Harvard today (I didn't apply). I still haven't heard anything from 4 of my programs. It's not looking good considering I still don't have any acceptances