metallocene2015

oops didn't know those last two were top programs too

Possible, but I think you would have to wait-listed first (I guess)

Same here..but I feel like you might have a better chance than I do since a) I only applied to top programs and I am international

I got a response from UC Berkeley - they said that they don't have the information yet but almost all admissions offers have gone out (they'll take at most 1 or 2 more people). All application statuses will be announced by the end of February or even before the end of February. MIT hasn't replied yet.

I couldn't stand it anymore so I decided to email both schools...a bit afraid of what I will (probably) hear but at least I can start healing earlier this way . Let's see what they say...

I applied to five schools for my PhD in chemistry- got accepted by 1 (my current undergrad institution), rejected by 1, still waiting on the other 3. Many have told me to apply to more "safer" programs since I only applied to the top 5 or top 10 schools in chemistry but I never did since I know very well that I wouldn't attend those safety schools even if I got accepted. What I would say: don't apply unless you actually intend to attend! Grad school apps take a lot of time and also cost a lot (esp. if you're international) and it simply isn't worth applying to all those extra schools if you know you won't attend them..

Still haven't heard back from either MIT or UC Berkeley..looks like I can expect a rejection

Congrats on the (really early) UCLA acceptance ! How did you find out btw ? My application status still says that "no decision has been made on your application".

Yep same here

for those of you who got into MIT, is there a link for you to check the application status ? Both UC Berkeley and UCLA have one, but I've only seen the link for the online app..

Congrats ! So jealous of you Do you know if they're done sending out notifications yet ?

I would say to wait until the end of February to freak out. Some schools I am applying to are even saying to wait until March or early April..

Thanks for the detailed reply TakeruK ! Like you said,the reason why I thought my LORs were the problem was because I saw a bunch of people getting into the schools I applied to-but then again, they're probably not international. Do you think it would help if I retake? Or would some industry experience + internship (ie, potential sources of strong LORs) be even more helpful in getting me into top 5-15 schools?

So it's not just chemistry that's really competitive this year huh? Oh well at least they replied ! Still going to try emailing Princeton anyway...

Has anyone ever emailed grad schools to ask them about their admissions decision (as in the exact reasons why you weren't admitted)? Will they even reply ? I strongly suspect that it's because my LORs aren't strong enough (only 1 strong LOR from advisor and 2 weak ones from profs I got A's with) but I really want to know the real reasons so that I can (hopefully) get in next year ! My stats: international student cumulative GPA: 3.68 GRE(V/Q/AWA):160/163/5.0 GRE chem: 810 (79 %ile) ~2 years research experience 1 pub submitted (1st author) 1 strong LOR, 2 weak ones (I think) 5 graduate courses (7 by the time I graduate)

Are LORs more important than subject GPAs? I am applying as an international student-I am really worried about my gpa (cumulative 3.68)

Does that apply for all chemistrt divisions at Princeton ? I got rejected a few days ago

Just got mine too. Did you also get a generic email from the Dean of the Graduate School? I'm wondering if these emails are candidate-specific- mine said something about not being a good match for the program...

Has UCLA's organic chemistry division sent out any emails yet ?

Princeton's graduate admissions website for chemistry says that admission decisions will be shared on 2/1 so I guess they've only notified the more qualified candidates first so maybe there's still hope ..? Waiting for mine too..

Hi everyone , So I just got my GRE chemistry scores last week- 810 (79%), significantly lower than what I expected based on my performance on the official practice test (970, 99%). By then, the scores had already been sent and since the chemistry subject test is only offered once a year where I live, I didn't really have a choice either if I wanted to apply this year. I tried looking up average GRE subject test scores for international students but could only find the stats for the general test- does anyone know what a "good"/"competitive" subject test score for an international applicant is ? I have a 3.68 major GPA, and for my general GRE test, I got Q163, V160, AW5.0. I am applying to the top 5-10 schools in chemistry.

So what is the minimum percentile that international students need to get on the GRE chemistry test to be competitive when applying to top 10 schools ? I personally got a 810 (79%), which I find rather unsettling considering that I got a 970 on the practice test...

Well it's not exactly that I won't even have a chance, but rather that I think that my list of schools is a bit too ambitious in light of my credentials...I have a well-written SOP, 1 moderate LOR, 1 that is expected to be very strong, and one so-so LOR. Also, my advisor said that schools like MIT and UC Berkeley usually only accept students that are in the top 5% of their class, and I am only in the top 10% or so...

Hi everyone, I just got my GRE chemistry subject test scores yesterday- 810, 79th percentile. It was a lot lower than what I got on the official practice test (970, 99th percentile)- should I send this score ? For the general test, I got Q163, V160, and AW 5.5; I am an international applicant from a top university in Asia with a 3.68 GPA (out of 4.33), a publication in Tetrahedron that is currently under review, 2 years of research experience and I am also a TA for general chemistry lab this semester. I am applying to the top 5-10 chemistry PhD programs (MIT,Princeton, UCLA, UC Berkeley). Given my credentials, do I even have a chance at getting into one of these schools ? Please help me I am freaking out..........