I am a junior at a top 20 private university. My GPA is not the highest right now, though I plan on increasing it significantly. I was wondering if some of my choices for a Ph.D in analytical chemistry were out of reach.
Major: Chemistry
Cumulative GPA: probably around a 3.3 by the time I apply
Chemistry GPA: probably around a 3.3 by the time I apply
GRE Verbal: 155 (67%) retaking soon
GRE Quantitative: 164 (88%) retaking soon
GRE Analytical: 4.5 (80%) retaking soon
GRE Chemistry: expecting at least 800 or so
Recommendations: (1) super strong rec from one of the top analytical chemists/professors in the country (Agilent Thought Leader Award, etc.), my PI; (2) strong adviser/head of undergraduate research rec; (3) very strong rec from industry; (4) optional: strong rec from head of graduate TA's, only undergraduate TA
Experience: 1.5 years in industry from taking time off (drug discovery/development); 1.5 years in top analytical chemistry/IM-MS research (possible publications, lead author for MSWIFT advancement); 2.5 years undergraduate general chemistry TA; campus ACS Student Affiliates Chapter officer
Other unrelated EC's: Delta Delta Delta
Top Schools: Purdue, UCLA - dream school, UT Austin, Cornell, UofI Urbana-Champaign, Cal
Other schools I'm considering: UCSD, UCSF, UW-Seattle, Scripps
Do you guys think that my GPA will be that much of an issue applying to these schools for the Fall of 2016? What are my chances?
