Bioinorganic78

Several graduate schools I am looking into have listed the chemistry GRE subject test as highly recommended. I am planning not to take the test (the less standardized testing the better), but I am curious if it will really lessen my application or chances for the top student fellowships if I dont. I am a Chem major (small state college), 3.8+ gpa, and will have research experience and possibly a publication by the time I apply.

I am only a undergraduate junior, but I have some perspective on being from a non ivy league. I am a chem major and go to a state school no where near the top chem programs, and the top chemistry students at my school have still gone too top graduate schools (Colombia, UChicago, etc.) Most, or alot of, undergrads don't publish. The fact that you have 3 publications should really make you stand out. I might have one coming up soon, and my professor is really stressing how helpful it will be to my applications when I apply next year

No, it would satisfy it. While I agree organic interaction is a true "interview" and a list of questions isn't the same experience, the major part of the assignment is getting information about the workings of graduate school from a graduate student. Maybe questionnaire is a more appropriate tem. At my college, we have no graduate program so I can't interview anyone personally here. My McNair office today set me up with a former chemistry graduate who is now in graduate school, so I am all good with the interview now.

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Hello everyone, My name is Michael and I am a junior undergraduate chemistry major and McNair Scholar. For my McNair Scholars class, I am required to interview a chemistry PhD student. Would any chemistry graduate student here (any specialization) be willing answer my interview questions? If so, thank you for your time as I truly appreciate it. If you are uncomfortable posting your responses in the open, feel free to PM me or I can PM you my email address. Your Name, Graduate Institution, and current year in the program 1) How different has your graduate school experience been from undergraduate? 2) How are you balancing graduate school and personal life, any difficulties? If you have an SO and/or children, has graduate school affected them? 3) How was your TA experience and how long did you TA for? Any difficulties? 4) Is your department fine or do you feel the environment is too competitive? Are your professors approachable? 5) Have you published so far, do you believe you will publish a lot before you leave? 6) What is your current ultimate career goal, and has your current graduate studies changed your career goals at all. 7) Any other information you would like to share such as unexpected hardships during your program, experience not what you thought it'd be, favorite thing about graduate school, advice to prospective graduate student, when you think you'll finish etc. is welcomed but not required. Thank you again for your time, your interview will only be used for my McNair class report.