Whisky-with-a-Y

Oops, should have mentioned it was a terminal program. Thanks pluftern

Lastly, they also recieved funding for their 2 years. I believe they all enjoyed the process and got out of a lot of classes come PhD time.

I personally know a few students, US students, who completed a masters degree and went on to do a PhD at high-level, respected schools (top 10). The majority weren't sure they wanted to start a PhD program at the time of undergrad graduation so they completed a masters and found out they did. It was never viewed as a negative and I believe a masters would only be perceived as negative if you were awarded one from a school that does not give them (you did not finish the PhD program). Good luck!

My advice for the Chem GRE: Hmmmmmm. I took the test very early, before my 2nd semester of PChem, any inorganic or instrumental, so I could apply very early to grad school. My results would have been fine if I had stuck to my game plan of only answering questions I knew, but I abandoned that when I sat down (poor choice on my part). The optimal time to take it is as late as possible (october-ish I think), but it will delay your applications a bit if you want to submit your scores. Also, you might have to automatically submit your scores if you take it later, meaning the scores will go directly to the schools and not you first. If I had to take it again I would sign up for the test in the summer of your junior/senior year, that way PChem should be done, which takes up a decent chunk of the test. Most students will not have every class complete that is covered on the test, so strategy is very important. Don't answer a question you don't know as it will count against you. Lastly, don't freak out if you don't do too well or have time to take it. I got in to some great schools without submitting my scores (every school I applied to), and I know a few other students, personally, who got into Ivy's without a Chem GRE. Regular GRE: Take it over the summer or when you don't have much going on. The test is easy to do decent on, tough to do outstanding on. I studied for 2 solid weeks and was happy with my scores. Review some basic algebra, geometry, and really practice verbal. Chem students consider that to be the least important part, but it looks good to do well in that subject. Shoot for at least 70th percentiles in all. Getting Into Research: Eigen summed it up pretty well. Meet up with a few different professors, maybe ones that you really like and have them explain their research to you, they love that stuff. Do a little research on your own and try to get an idea of something that sounds interesting. Don't be afraid to hate what you are doing. If you start in an organic lab and dislike it, get out early. There is no law that states you have to do something you dislike. I spent a year and a half in an inorganic lab before I finally moved on and it was a large waste of time. The schools and professors that do a lot of collaboration are a good start as you can get a taste of a few different areas. In the end, don't think that just because your did 1 thing in undergrad means that you have to continue that in grad school.

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I would send an email and ask, it could be any one of those options. Maybe take a look at the results search and see if the school as accepted a lot/sent rejections, /sent anything.

They are the only school I still have yet to hear from. When I finished the preapp I emailed and verified all the material was there, but otherwise I wouldn't have heard anything back. Fortunately I have already made my decision but sucks for anyone who is waiting on them, it seems like they are taking their time.

I would ask whether or not the stipend is taxable. Some schools are able to work around that, while others will say "you are considered for a TA position with a taxable stipend of XX$". The schools I visited with lower stipends had the majority of that stipend as non-taxable, which makes a big difference, while the ones with larger stipends were taxable. At the end of the day, a 1-2 grand a year will not make a very large difference.

I did not apply there and I have never been but I know a few people who have. They all enjoyed their time and really liked the area. They described it as a little city in the middle of know where and this it is similar to any other large college town (assuming that college is not located in some massive, major city). There is the university and everything else that supports it. There are bars, golf, events, just like anywhere else. Also, it is only like a 2 hour drive to Chicago which is a very easy Saturday morning drive. Anyway, I thought I would add that. Good Luck

It can vary greatly depending on advisor. For most a typical day is 8-5, 9-6, like a regular work week, but the time frame is somewhat arbitrary. The time spent in the lab really depends on the work being done. I have peers that spend all day, not 18 hours, but the entirety of the day in the lab. But they are not doing work every minute of it (not even close), they would just rather spend their time at school then at their apartment, which is their choice. It is a question of time management. You do not have to "live" in the lab and I would recommend asking potential advisors on future visits of their work expectations. Obviously the majority of your day will be spent at school, it is a job and should be treated as such. But I personally wouldn't get involved with a group if you were expected to be in the lab ALL the time (12+ a day). A lot of students work on the weekends, for some it is mandatory. Analytical/physical/computational spend a lot of time on the computer (well it really depends on the project), and you are correct that a lot of that can be done at home. I personally will not work for someone who requires 12 hours a day as I have a family and care about spending time with them. You can accomplish a lot of work in a 10 hour day, a lot, you have just to manage your time wisely and work hard when your there. There will be times too where you put in a very long day, maybe 18h as mentioned above, it happens. But be realistic, the idea of doing back-to-back 18h shifts is a little unreasonable (by the time you got home, showered, ate, your looking at 4h sleep and consistently that would have a huge affect on your work). But for some, they might enjoy it. Like I said, this is a very important question to ask future potential advisors (it isn't inappropriate) and also group memebers, but take everything with a grain of salt as they will be trying to get you to go to their school.

Hey, I really wouldn't worry about it just yet. It is around that time where acceptances seem to be going out, but that doesn't mean it will stop today. Keep looking foward to the next few weeks and if it hits mid-February, maybe then start to worry. It is hard to go by the trends you read here, so don't take them to seriously. I don't think you "shot yourself in the foot", although some of those schools are clearly top, top choices. Your backups (or confident, as you called them), are pretty good schools. UNC-Chapell Hill is a really hard school to guage. I have seen them deny outstanding candidates, without any reason. UC San Diego also gets a lot of popularity as its location and it has a pretty good reputation. Same goes with Colorado, so all those schools receive a ton of apps. I think you app kind of stands out as you have training as a chemical engineer. Curious, why didn't you go that route? I see a lot of chem students try and pursue that area, although it is very difficult from the lack of engineering classes and experience in that setting. I have no idea how much GPA actually matters. You will see varying accounts of that on this forum and I think it depends on the rest of the application, I think we can at least make that generalization. Assuming there wasn't a cuttoff and your application reached the review stage, it should be somewhat interesting. However, I am not sure if these schools have cutoffs and it might not have reached that phase. I imagine if the latter was the case you would receive a rejection, which it doesnt look like you have yet, so don't worry. Lastly, if it reaches mid-Feb, send an email out. There is a chance of being wait-listed. Also, schools tend to send out applications in waves. So first they do an early round, which is what we are seeing right now and for the earlier months (can't say that for every school, but a few that I got accepted to told me that. Its why they like you to decline if you have no interest). P.S. For the 20 students on here being accepted to these outstanding schools, there is probably 100 more that are reading these posts and wondering the same thing that you are. Someone posted a bit ago asking for the "normal" students because all we are reading are the top, top acceptances (congrats to everyone who got in, that is an outstanding accomplishement alone), but there a lot of people, a lot who are in the same position.

That is really dependent on your interests. Other than the two you haven't heard from, there isn't a hierarchy between the remaining 4? I wouldn't visit all 6, assuming you get into them all. I wouldn't even visit 4, but that is personal as I don't wish to be out of town that much. Also, I already know that certain professors at certains schools interest me more than others. So I applied to 8, have gotten accepted to 5 and haven't heard from 3. I will probably only visit my top 2-3 choices. The others were fillers and I wanted to make sure I got in some where. Also, by declining early, especially to a school you know you won't go to because you have already gotten into better, allows for other students to be accepted.

I wouldn't write it, especially if it was for a competative position. I had the tendancy, as a young student, to think of everyone I came into contact with in academia as a potential LOR. I would direct him to the professor, assuming he/she did well.

The one I received states the same

I don't think potential schools will care too much about that. A large number of undergrads have hands-on experience with many different instruments. I know at my school, an average state instituition, that I can walk into any room and get on any instrument I want, including the ones you have listed (As can any other student). I wouldnt be able to do my "undergrad-research" without sitting in front of an instrument all day. I know at some schools it is hands-off and restricted, probably a smart idea on their part (have seen a lot of NMR tubes break in not the best places). But for many colleges, students can engage almost any instrument involved in their research as soon as they receive their class on how to operate it. If they arent, it doesnt take too long to get trained on them anyway.

Side note: this is for the chemistry department and requires no interview on my part.

I recieved the same news. First I got the email from the professor, stating the same type of information (research interests and what-not). I received the informal admission a few days later, maybe 2-3 days, from the department discussing travel days, stipend, etc. The formal admission will not come until after the visitation weekend, so if you are expecting that it will require your attendance; or at least that is what my email has stated. Although, you should recieve some informal admission, so I would follow the previous advice and contact the professor who emailed you. Although, with the holiday and everything it might just be held up a little.

Congrats Chemset, that is a tempting amount of money. That is a great question about the emails. I have responded to a few and have not to others. I dont think it is mandatory as you are accepted until the deadline that they give you. From my experience I have gotten the email, then a day or so later another discussing recruitment event dates. So mainly my responses have been in regards to the dates concerning travel, not accepting the offer or acknowledging it. Hope that helps

Thanks for the input closetchem. I totally agree that the majority of my experience will depend both on the research and the potential advisor. I should have clarified a little more about the housing purchase. I am fortunate enough to have a spouse that makes enough money to support the two of us and has a job that transitions to any location possible (i.e. healthcare). Essentially I would be buying a very cheap house (every school I applied to has a cheap cost of living, things I spent a while looking into) and my entire stipend will go into paying it off. Basically Im sick of giving tens of thousands of dollars to a landlord for zero return or even my security deposit. We most likely wouldn't stay in the same area after school as I would imagine there arent many jobs. But if we could pay off a decent amount of the mortage, which is very possible, I would at least be able get some money back.

Hey All, I was curious if anyone on here that is in the process of applying, or has already began a program, is married or has children. I was curious about your input and advice. I have discussed some concerns with current professors who went through school with a wife/husband and children, and gotten some great responses. I was am just curious for more. I will be starting school with a wife of 6 years and an 7 month old. My wife has a succesfull career so we will be looking into purchasing a home; expereinces that deal with this type of stuff. Did anyone have issues finding affordable daycare, did the schools aid in this process, etc.? Maybe this question would be better suited in the grad cafe "general" forum, but I would prefer answers from students who have similar backgrounds. Feel free to send a private message. Thanks and good luck to everyone in these upcoming months!!

Congrats ChemPlasmonics, If you were contacted directly from a professor I wouldn't stress too much. Good Luck!!

I imagine your application wont even be looked at. Why would a school bother with an applicant missing the most important parts of an application (The LOR probably being the most) when there a ton of students with everything submitted. It is most likely the same with the GRE. For most all graduate schools it is mandatory, meaning you must have a certain score to gain admission (even if it isn't a high score), at least having the test complete. Without that, even just having it submitted regardless of how you did, it is highly unlikely it would be looked at. What else is there in an application? GPA? The GRE takes like 2 days for the univeristy to get and maybe a week for them to upload into your file. If you sent it last week I wouldnt worry. As for the LOR, bug them.

I agree that you should retake the test, but be carefull about the dates. Retaking the test in late November is very very late. Being an international student, the cutoff dates for the application process are earlier for you, so you will definitley want to triple check that your scores will be displayed with enough time to have them sent to the individual schools. As for your chances at a top 50 institution, maybe? Is the cgpa the chemistry gpa or cum. gpa? Either way it is somewhat low, especially for an international student where the competition is usually greater. Do you have a decent Chemistry GRE? From what I understand, most international applicants have pretty outstanding Subject Test scores. Undergrad T.A positions help as nice little "tid-bits" to add to an application/SOP but they dont really do much good in terms of gaining acceptance. Your GRE, research experience, GPA and LORS will ultimatley decide your future. What field of chemistry and potential schools are you looking at? That will help everyone make have a clearer idea of your intentions.

- My advice: I would say, in my own opinion, that you should not need to retake any tests. You have an awesome verbal (kind of rare in chemistry, I think it is a nice little extra) and your quant is great, 80% is not bad at all. Some students can get in the 90's, but really not that many. I like to think that for every student listing outstanding credentials on this website, there is probably 30 that have just average scores and are wondering if they stand a chance. The pool of applicants for any school will be incredibly diverse, you just want to be towards the top. Also, you have a great Chem GRE score to supplement your application. The list of schools isnt too over ambitious and I think you will be very competative as an applicant. The GRE is like 200$, do you really want to pay that just to increase a few points? (Personally, I am done giving ETS any more money) I don't think these schools will look at your application and discard it because you don't have above the 90th percentile in quant. Also, your research experience is great. As for the GPA, it might be wise to address it in the SOP. It is a difficult task to try and discuss the reasons why you did poorly in a class for an SOP without coming across as desparate, but it might be worth it. If a school has a cutoff for GPA and you do not make it then it wont even matter, but I would personally give it a sentence of two.....If you have a 4th LOR that is outstanding, why not send it? I have never heard a student sending more than 3, I know personally that I dont know 4 professors/mentors/whom ever that could actually vouch on my skills and ability to grow in this field. I would not send a 4th if it is just a teacher, I cannot imagine they will care to read another SOP from a professor that gave you an A. If it was an advisor, that would be different; you are looking for someone that is familiar with you as a student, person, and budding young scientist who can grow into a mature adult capable of handling and exceling in the graduate life. So, I do not think you are in any danger. Your application looks great and I think right on track for the schools you are applying to. I would'nt worry too much about the quant score, it is still better than 80% of the people (supposedly intelligent students seeking a higher education) that took the test. Why not spend the money that you would on another GRE and apply to 2-3 more schools, just to be certain. Biochem is everywhere, I would personally add 1 more great school and maybe a backup that interested me (not sure if you have one listed), cant be too safe. Regards,