I do have some positive and negative marks in my favor.
I went to a large, public undergrad that is within the top 150 schools.
Bachelors - Biochemistry Cum Laude - 3.59 overall
GRE - 730 Quant, 670 Verbal (took the old one in 2011)
1.5 years Research experience - undergrad in organic and physical chem.
2.5 years - Worked at a government Agency as a Research Chemist in a fellowship. Running studies, doing UPLC-MS/MS, data analysis, revising CLIA SOPs
No Publications. Presented my work at a mid-level conference - poster
I am currently in an Masters in Anesthesiology program and I'm not thinking medicine is the field for me. I miss research everyday I'm in the OR helping patients, and I feel that I'm missing out on doing what I love. And then there will be grad school to grind down that love . The program is also expensive. I do have a job offer at a Chem startup if I leave, which may further help my resume.
I am currently in good academic standing with this program - in the second quarter now, but it does not have the same good grades as my undergrad grades.
My ultimate goal would to become a clinical chemist - first I need the PhD, and then I need to get the fellowship.
Considering programs at -
Georgia Tech, University of Arizona, Wisconsin-Madison, UAB, Vanderbilt, University of Arizona, University of Utah, University of Washington, University of Michigan, Purdue, UGA, UF, Cleveland State
Do you think I have a good chance at these schools? How bad do you think leaving a professional program look towards admissions officers?
I will most likely have a good LOR from my governmental lab, as well as my undergrad lab and one or two of my old professors.