yash13177

I suppose I feel that he hasn't actually had enough time to train, he joined in his second semester of college entirely! So I feel my PI has expectations that are too high of a college freshman.

Hello all, In December my PI gave me an undergraduate to help me with my project (it's a huge project and we just need more hands). The undergraduate is a first year (about to start his second year) with no lab experience. I've had to teach him everything from putting on gloves to how to work pipettes...etc. Now, 7 months later, the undergrad is still struggling. I myself have been frustrated. He has trouble with things I taught him months ago (like diluting an overnight culture to a specific number and letting it grow) and doesn't make the best decisions... And he forgets a lot of things I tell him (even when I ask him to write it down). His technical skills are improving but he still lacks a scientific sense and doesn't have much lab maturity. I believe that it is something that develops over time, experience and exposure to more science classes. However, my PI is frustrated with the undergrad's progress. Now, my PI mentioned to me that he is thinking of firing the undergrad. My question is: How do I help my undergrad do better? How do I help him develop this scientific sense at a quicker pace so he doesn't get fired? Are there any good methods any of you have used to help a struggling student? I am limited by how much more time I can devote to my undergrad. I have my own experiments, a thesis to write and a different undergrad (summer program) to manage.

Hi ivynotavery! If you're looking to enter a research Ph.D. program I would definitely agree with Black5tar and obtain some research experience. Master's programs are great if you want to show you're capable of studying in an area that was not what you studied in undergrad. But, unless the Master's program offers research, I would go with the opportunity at USC. Ultimately, research Ph.D. programs want to see a proficiency in scientific thinking and curiosity, which can be developed with research experience and can be validated through a LOR from a PI, a poster presentation and/or publication! Best of luck! yash13177

Hi Rajon-Baker6, First of all, I want to acknowledge that your ability to persevere and continue with your education through all of your hardships is a huge success. I'll do my best to answer your question, but I admittedly am not in your field and do not have experience in any type of situation similar to yours. I also am not familiar with specific admissions requirements in Canada. From an admissions point of view, I could understand why your grades dropped during your challenges and working full-time. But a tiny flag that may raise itself is why all of your failed classes came from one type of class. It may be easier to understand why your grades in all of your classes dropped instead of ones in a particular subject. Now of course that can be explained: perhaps these math/stats courses required extra out-of-class work which you did not have time to do because of your job, etc. But it is worrisome, from an admissions POV, that you want to apply to a Master's program in the same topic your failed classes are in. But, (correct me if I'm wrong) it sounds like these F's happened in your second-to-last year and your grades in your last year were good? I hope this is the case, because having good grades in your last year will definitely help you. It will help you even more if you got good grades in math/stats courses in your last year. Unfortunately, we cannot go back in time so I would not spend time focusing on your GPA (even though it's hard not to). The good thing is that applications are not only your GPA! There are many components, including letters of recommendation and your GRE score. If you have strong letters of recommendation, that could help assuage any worries from the admissions team. It will also boost your application if you get a high GRE score. I suggest also taking the Mathematics GRE subject test, which could help counter-balance some of your math/stats grades. I hope this helps a little bit! Feel free to respond/ask more questions.

Hi eighty8keys, I am actually in the same position as you. My freshman year GPA was pretty bad but I exponentially increased it over the following years. Thus, my cumulative GPA is a tad lower than many other applicants but if you look at my transcript it was just my first semester weighing me down. I think your upward trend is the best thing going for you. It shows that you addressed your weakenesses and pushed through to the end of your schooling. The reverse situation (high GPA to lower) is definitely worse. I think your GPA only matters if your programs have an average applicant GPA that is significantly higher than what you have. If this is the case, I would suggest three things: Try your best to get a high score on the GRE. Not only will this squash any doubt the program will have, but it will demonstrate your academic capability. Get solid LOR's. Even though your assistantships are brief, I would work really hard (at your work and also networking with your boss) to get strong LOR's. I think these matter the most. Apply to Master's programs/research positions. I think you can apply if 1) you like the program/position 2) if you want to have a back up. If you have the time and money to do so, it doesn't hurt to have a second option in case you don't get into the Ph.D. programs of your choice. Overall, I've been told countless times to stop worrying about my GPA. I have heard that as long as your GPA isn't abysmal, programs will likely not worry about it; instead they highly value LOR's and experience/publications/presentations. (Granted, if you have a 3.0 and you apply to programs that usually accept applicants with a 3.8 - that may be a bit of a stretch and you would have to compensate in other areas of your application.) Or at least that is what I think!

Hi roln, In my opinion, I think LORs are extremely important for so many reasons - for Master's and Ph.D. programs.

Hi akraticfanatic, I got this advice in high school when I took the SAT/ACT. I applied this to the SAT, ACT, and GRE. With prompts that ask for your opinion on an issue, sometimes it's really obvious what the majority of writers will write about. (Ex: what is your opinion on funding after-school programs in a disadvantaged neighborhood. Almost everyone will write a positive opinion) However, what is more interesting to the reader is if you can argue the "unfavorable" opinion. Of course, you have to have a sound argument with legitimate points. (Ex: Don't say you don't like funding after-school programs because you hate kids, but maybe talk about how the majority of crimes are committed by post-high school students so more focus should be on college preparatory classes) In my experience, this has always worked for me and I have been able to score high because of it. Also, on a different note: I have found that having a well-written essay includes a very clear train of thought. I would spend time on perfecting your logic and writing flow.

Hi cindyboop, Overall, I think graduate programs would weigh your MS program GPA over your undergrad. This would not be the case if you had a super low GPA (like below a 3) so I would not worry too much about that. However, if you failed any upper-division or major-specific classes make sure to address that in your application. As for your MS program in Neuroscience, there is nothing you can do and nothing they should be able to do about that. I actually don't even know if you are required to report that you went there? If you don't have to I would say don't, it raises more questions than helps you. I don't really know what research assessments mean... could you elaborate? I think what graduate programs really look for is research experience. Whether that was through a research program, a position, volunteer etc. What they want to know is that you know what you're getting into and that you can demonstrate your success in a research environment thus far! I hope that helps!

Hi Jericha, Yes, I think if you do exceptionally well for the Psychology CLEP/GRE that would significantly help. Since you cannot take classes, I think this is the best way to demonstrate your knowledge. However, if the graduate programs absolutely require certain coursework you may have to search for a way to take classes. I also agree with the previous posters about reaching out to professors at the two schools you are interested in applying to. If they like you, usually they can definitely help you when you submit an application (either with looking at your application or vouching for you during the process, etc.) Best of luck!

Hi GL551, To me there are four things that stick out: your GPA, your Letters of Rec, your Statement of Purpose and your undergraduate career. GPA: I think a lower GPA is fine when you apply to graduate school; however, it is the best if your worst grades are earlier in your undergraduate career. If the situation is reverse (which I believe is your case, you mentioned you got F's in your junior year) that is a red flag. They will question whether you can succeed long-term and also wonder why you got F's. Was it because you got lazy? You couldn't handle upper division classes? Or perhaps you focused your time elsewhere? Those may be the questions running through their minds so I would address that in your application. Letters of Recommendation: Because you seem to have a lot of experience (research, teaching, extra curriculars) I can only think of this. Since you don't usually read your LOR's, you are trusting the professor's word when they say they can write you a good letter. If I may suggest, re-contact those professors and tell them your situation. Be very honest, respectful and ask for their opinion. Maybe you can get a feel for whether they actually wrote you a good letter! If not, look elsewhere. Statement of Purpose: Even though it has been through many rounds of revision, there is always room for improvement. Since you have been through two rounds of applications, I would re-examine your SOP. Have other people read it! Other professors, other friends, even your peers. Maybe think critically about what is coming across from your SOP and whether that represents you as an applicant. Time during Undergrad: I agree with fuzzylogician about the cohesiveness of your application. For me, I am not as worried about the 3 B.S. degrees. What is a red flag to me is spending 7 years during your undergrad. Coupled with your degrees, classes, presentations, and publications all in different areas - that may be a worry to graduate programs. The whole point of a graduate program is to focus on one topic. Your application, from a bird's eye view, doesn't demonstrate your ability to focus on one area. How do you solve this? I would suggest looking at a Master's program or re-vamping your application. What I think you should do is demonstrate through your application the reasons why you wanted to be so well-rounded, how that would benefit their program, and how you would succeed in a Ph.D. program given these reasons. I think it will be difficult to do, but not impossible. You have to craft your application in a careful way: that both acknowledges your education/experience but spins it in a Ph.D.-program-positive way. I hope my opinion helps! I am from neuroscience, so I apologize if any of what I said is different for your field!

Katzenklavier, In my opinion the only catch in applying to a Ph.D. program is justifying why you want to get a Ph.D. after your OT program. I think your time doing neuro-rehabilitation research during your OT program will be able to tell you whether obtaining a Ph.D. is something you want to do! As far as GRE scores...Honestly...everyone I've talked to say that they are just a formality unless you do badly. But for some schools, if you have a great GPA, research experience and a publication - that shines a lot brighter than a GRE score. So, given your quantitative score, I would re-take it if you have the time and money to do so. I think that spending the money on re-taking the GRE to get a higher score will save you the money in applying a second round! But ultimately, this depends on the program you apply to. I would suggest looking at their average applicant score or even try to talk to someone at the school before signing up to re-take it. I hope that answers some of your questions, and if you do well in your OT program and then decide to continue to a Ph.D. after your research experience - I think that just makes you stand out as an applicant!

Hello everyone! I am about 8 months in to my MPhil program and I am applying for Fall 2018 admission into U.S. Neuroscience Ph.D. programs. I completed my B.S. in the U.S., and I have quite a bit of research experience (~3.5 years), a poster presentation at a international conference and other conferences at my institution, a 2nd author paper and some grants/awards that I was fortunate enough to receive. As for now, I feel like I took on a fairly "big" Master's research project: in terms of work to do and unfamiliarity (for both my PI and myself). It's a little out there, and maybe not considered a "standard" research direction in my field (if that is even a thing). My worry is this: what if I don't have any success from my Master's thesis? My thesis has to be approved etc etc in order for me to graduate, but I was hoping to work towards (at least) a poster presentation. Since I am applying this cycle, I have to talk about my project - which I feel hasn't made much progress! Agh! How much is this a factor in applying to programs? Am I expecting too much from a 2-year research project? Is getting an approved thesis fine or will they expect more (especially considering my undergraduate experience)?? Any comments would be appreciated! Thank you all!

Hi! Fellow applicant for Fall 2018! I'm just starting my search into programs but I do have some worries! I'm considering re-taking the GRE to better my score (I've only taken it once and in a panic because I thought my institution where I'm at now for my Master's degree required it). I'm also worried that my current research project won't be as successful as my undergraduate research experience! I hope that does not reflect badly on my part... I'm looking forward to braving this application cycle with you all!