loginofpscl

Like the above poster mentioned, doing well on the GRE and cGRE will offset your GPA, and writing a focused personal statement is key.

I have a question regarding GPA/grades: how can I offset retaking three classes in my personal statement? Two of these classes (Calc 3, Pchem) were from Cs, while I retook the third one (Ochem) to get from a B+ to an A. I know that other portions of my application such as my research experience, pubs, presentations, etc. will offset this, but I wanted to know if there was a way to effectively allay concerns in the statement, or if I should just keep mum on it.

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.

My letter-writer (research adviser for 3 years, adviser for outreach student org for a year now) is very tough to please. He expects a lot, and can be very disappointed when you don't do something the way he'd like it. Several instances of this happening... often during group meeting my results over the course of a couple of months would be panned. Not that it was bad work, he'd just expect more. These sorts of things make me anxious sometimes as to whether he would truly support me in applying for grad school or fellowships, but you gotta realize your letter-writers, if you are truly planning to get letters from them, will only want whats best for you. Sometimes they can just be very brusque. I figure as long as I am a beggar in this relationship I just need to grow balls and not take everything personally.

10 months is enough time for your undergrad PI to evaluate your potential as a PhD candidate. If you have doubts as to whether the adcoms will acknowledge this, ask your letter writers to address your research potential specifically. Although your short research term may be less than the average for top schools, a LoR indicating strong potential will assuage concerns on part of the admission committee. I.e., from what I've seen, you have a chance given your awards and strong academic record. It's worth applying, and much hinges on the quality of the LoR.

Hello all, I attended two distinct CCs in both of which I took one core requirement class each (Calc II, and government.) Will graduate schools require these transcripts? On my regular university transcript it shows I have taken Calc III, so I don't think it'll be an issue... will they be required still? Thanks

For most top-tier programs the chemistry GRE is required, and your package will not be considered without it.

That is helpful, but did not quite answer my question: Would I have sufficient time to survey all the schools I am offered admission to before I am obligated to accept/reject their offer? Are coincident visitation weekends a problem?

Thank you, I will ask them in person during visitation weekends if I get accepted to those institutions. In general, is the window for visitation weekends for a variety of schools large enough to allow for a meaningful time to make a decision?

Thank you for the very informative replies. How did you meet your PIs? I am applying to variety of schools sitting on corners of the United States, and I'm not sure how I would go about sizing them up aside from National Conferences (too late now!) I've e-mailed most of them to ask if they are taking in new students, and I can somewhat glean some information from their mode of reply (if they do at all), and luckily the ACS has archived video-talks of some of them so I was able to see what they were like from a limited perspective. Like you said, I've heard a lot about several of my prospective PIs through gossip with my profs, which what was what initially led me to ask the entire question of 'selecting an adviser who pays attention.' The professor I talked of in my previous post was a virtual rockstar in my eyes (and in the media's, the public, the wider community, etc.) until I heard directly from one of his students that he has a twice-a-year approach to interfacing with his students. Would it be passe to e-mail their current group members and ask: "Hey, so do you like your adviser?"

Thank you. I suppose it really just comes down to a lot of uncertainty as to how engaged the professors will be, and what kind of opportunities will be available afterwards with their names stamped on it. On that note-- how exactly do you know whether you would work well together? How do you know they can bring out the best in you? I find myself looking at group photos to see how close-knit the groups are, and judging professor-student intimacy by the number of group members. Is there a better way to do this?

I might be thinking of this too mechanically but I do agree that having a large-name PI who barely pays attention to you would be detrimental, but on the other hand instant name recognition and a LoR from the guy goes a long way for positions later. A particular professor I have in mind has mentored several graduate students into top faculty positions in universities around the US, and remain in close contact with him. Would it be too gamey/unrealistic if I have it in mind to join his former students' labs (now assistant profs, highly motivated) and then plan on a future postdoc with the senior prof and/or his associates?

Hi everyone, I know this question has probably been answered. With the new application cycle coming in, I was wondering how important it is for you guys to have an advisor who actually knows your name/ meets you more than three times a year. I ask this because many of the big-names in any field are constantly traveling, giving presentations, and frequently interface with only the post-docs in the lab. I am tempted to apply to big-names in my field (solar energy) but they already have established reputations and are reputed to not bother with lowly grad students. I know some people thrive in environments where they are given almost-full independence in the lab with their advisor out so much, but I feel like you would be missing out on such a crucial relationship that could otherwise be very fruitful (personal experience, advice, growth, .... recommendations.) Any thoughts?

I have the same exact questions as you do, I hope some of our more experienced members can help answer these. On the other hand, your credentials are stellar, and I cannot see how you would be rejected from top programs in organic synthesis. Your Goldwater scholarship makes the adcom members segregate your file instantly. All that is needed are decent c/GREs + good LORs/SOP

Thank you. I was thinking of the same thing initially. I feel that if I can make a competitive score on the c/GREs then my GPA will be much less of an issue. As for international, I'm definetely considering it.

i am planning to talk to my PI after finals, which is this week. thanks for the advice-- I managed to see Dan Nocera's talks at NOLA last month, and took a picture with him. I know of his reputation, but what's up with Nate Lewis? I kinda pegged him as a potential PI too. Thank you for your encouraging and kind words. Hope you do well yourself.

Hi all, Incoming senior here, applying in the Fall of 2013. I wanted to get y'all's opinion on what kind of program you think I can get into. Specifically, I'd like to work in solar or CO2 reduction. Do you think a top-10 program is feasible? I feel like my gpa is hurting me. GPA: 3.4 / 4.0 School: Very research-active school in Texas for my field Full academic scholarship to university 3 year involvement as officer in local ACS student chapter for chemistry outreach, earning group awards for 2 years National ACS award for leadership, local ACS award for research presentations 1 poster presentation at San Diego, gave a talk in New Orleans last month, and 2 local ACS section oral presentations Research exp: for 2.5 years so far in one lab, working on three different projects. polymer/nano/catalysis 3 publications-- two 2nd authors and one third-author, 17 citations so far GRE/cGRE: tbd solid LORs from amazing people thanks!

I think it's only worth picking a higher ranked school if they are substantially differently ranked, i.e. if you were comparing Harvard/Caltech/MIT/Stanford-- it doesn't matter. In that case you just pick your best match. End of the day, the reason you want a higher ranked university on your CV is because of more open doors. Is it widely apparent that VT is higher ranked than KU? Will it make a difference later on when you're applying for jobs? If so, then it might be worth it. But if you're more a match with one program than other... you'll be more productive and so your CV would probably be better in 5 years.