mac627

As long as you're satisfied with your decision, that's all that matters. My old roommate in college had ~3.8 GPA, scored a 32 on the MCAT, had both undergrad and post-bacc research experience, was accepted into a MD/PhD program, and still thought she was underqualifed. She used to joke that she didn't understand how she had gotten in. My point is, I think it's fairly common for most pre-med students to constantly doubt themselves. Like I said, if you are happy with the descision to get a PhD, and that is the career you want, go for it.

Take the Orgo 1 class + lab for now (I'm assuming this is offered during the evening at the community college, sorry if I misunderstood), while you figure out how/where to take Orgo 2. What is your current work situation? I work in a lab with three shifts, so a big group comes in to work around 12-2 and stays later in the evening. Would your job be open to the possibility of you doing something like that, at least for the days you have class? Fair enough. I think paying for the MCAT/applications and travelling for interviews will be the most expensive part, but it shouldn't blow through your entire savings. That's definitely a huge factor, which is why I stress talking with people who have an MD or PhD (maybe even set up an "informational interview" if you don't have a lot in your network) who can give you their experience and insight with that.

I'm just curious, if the only prereq you have left is o-chem, how will you blow through your savings? It sounds like you could work full-time for a year (and keep making payments on your undergrad loans) while finishing up the course. If you have time, I would try and speak with as many MD's and PhDs as possible. Tell them your dilemma and ask for their insight. If you can swing it, I'd say go for it. At least try, because 30 years from now you might always wonder "what if." You never truly know with med school- I've seen a number of friends accepted, rejected, rejected and then accepted, or rejected and decided to pursue a PhD or PA school. I think all of them were at least happy that they had given it a real shot. If I were you - for what it's worth - I would consider taking a research psych job for two years, finish out your prereqs in a year, study for the MCAT/get your application/LORs together, and apply away. Worst case scenario you have two more years or research experience under your belt and can then apply to PhD programs.

Okay thanks. Really appreciate the insight and advice.

I'm familiar with the program at Northeastern - I have a handful of friends who attended undergrad there, including engineers - and think the idea of the co-op program is wonderful. I have heard a lot of positive reviews of it, as well as a few horror stories (people not being placed/being placed in awful co-ops). While NEU is a good school, in reality, any student at any other university could create their own co-op program. All NEU brings to the table is the promise of co-op advisors with established connections with businesses in the industry who like to take on co-op students. Have you tried looking for co-ops/internships on your own? You can contact a company you are interested in and see if they are willing to take you on. Some companies advertise for co-op positions on regular job sites as well. If all you are looking for is experience, that might provide a much cheaper alternative to going back to school again.

Greetings! Thanks for taking the time to read and (hopefully) help answer my question. Currently, I hold a B.S. in Environmental Science, and am planning to apply for a masters in either chemical engineering or materials science and engineering (depending on the school and/or program). Right now, I work as a chemist at an environmental testing company. I started off in the prep lab, and now also help to run some of the instruments for analysis. As the title says, my question is about work experience before grad school. I am curious what type of jobs I should be looking for to show my committment and aptitude for a degree in engineering, considering my experience and education. I am interested in studying and working with renewable energy technologies. I have a bit of research experience as an undergrad - one job as a lab tech in a wet lab, and another as a clinical research assistant (mostly using excel and SPSS and performing lit searches). Any advice is welcome! I'm willing to postpone school to gain some more experience if that is necessary. Thanks! -Mac

In case it helps, my short list includes: Umass Amherst (reach) Umass Lowell Northeastern URI UMaine UCDavis (anyone with a recommendation for which UC school you think would be the best fit given my credentials, please chime in!)

Greetings! Thanks for taking the time to read my post. A little about my background: graduated 2013 from a top 50 college, with an overall GPA of 3.39 in Environmental Science. 6 months of full-time research experience in a neurology lab (I was originally pre-med), as well as 6+ months of experience working as a chemist in industry and one semester as a T.A. Currently, I am interested in applying to masters programs in chemical engineering. I have a short list of schools around Boston, but am willing to relocate almost anywhere for the right program (a West Coast school would be the dream). One major factor for my situation is financing school, so my question is about identifying schools who offer full support to masters students. What is the best way to do this? Is there a trend - for example, do schools without PhD programs offer more support to masters students - and if so, how do you zero in on those schools? I've been researching on my own, and so far haven't had much luck. If this is a priority, would I be successful by applying to less presigious schools? That's not really a problem for me, as I'm applying for a masters (I think it's more of an issue for PhD applicants, who will be doing research/committing more time to a program). I appreciate any and all insight! Even pointing me in the right direction would be great.