Future_Chem_Professor

Update: I had my dissertation defense this past Thursday, December 14, 2023, and I passed!!! Officially a doctor! I had my parents, wife, in-laws, friends, and professional colleagues there to watch me complete this journey. It is truly surreal to come back to this post after coming across it 6 years ago and deciding to bet on myself and pursue a PhD in Chemistry. If you're reading this and you're looking for that sign of whether to go all in and take a chance at pursuing a PhD, this is that sign! Go for it! You will not regret it if that's what you truly want to do. It doesn't matter what your past academic history was (I had a 2.7 GPA from a state school in Pennsylvania). I never made Dean's list, was discouraged from professors at the undergrad level to pursue a PhD, and had tons of other obstacles along the way. If I can do it, TRUST ME, you can too! It's a matter of going all in and making the decision to put in the work to make it happen. Best of luck to anyone who's either considering going to grad school, just starting out, in the thick of it, or on that final push to get it done. It was not easy by any stretch, but man was it worth it!

Update: I got into the PhD program! After working hard my first year, my grades were good enough to convince the graduate committee to let me transition in the PhD program! Now this happened after the Spring 2019 semester, so I'm a little late in providing an update, haha. I have another 3 years to go, but I've been working hard and have been truly enjoying every minute of it! For anyone who is serious about pursuing an advanced degree in ANY field, don't let anyone talk you out of it. I've had undergrad professors, former coworkers, and friends try to tell me that my dream was unrealistic and unachievable. But I didn't listen, and I worked hard. And just like a lot of people on this thread say after they've accomplished their goal, it was worth it. I'm so grateful that I was given an opportunity to turn it all around. It is NEVER too late to chase your dreams! If make it all the way through, I'll most definitely update this post again to show everybody that this is achievable no matter what circumstances you may find yourself in Good luck to anyone out there who's currently trying to go to grad school and prove to themselves that they're capable of succeeding at this level. You most certainly can do it!!!

Update: I got into a program!!! However, I was encouraged by the head of the admission committee to apply for the Masters route. If I excel academically my first year, I will be able to transfer into the PhD program! I'm very excited for the opportunity. This just goes to show that anything is possible. If I am able to get into the PhD program, I'll post back on here and hopefully be able to inspire others to never give up when pursuing your dream!!!

Just got officially hired from a temp position in a research lab after working hard for over 6 months to get. Very excited at the opportunity!!!

Hi everyone! I'm posting this again to hopefully get some replies. Anything helps!!! Program: M.S/PhD in Analytical Chemistry Schools Applying To: SUNY Buffalo, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), University of Rochester, University of Maryland College Park, Tufts University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Rutgers New Brunswick Interests: Analytical Chemistry (HPLC) Undergrad Institution: State School in Pennsylvania Undergraduate GPA: 2.7/4.0 Undergraduate Major: Chemistry Undergraduate Minor: Mathematics Major GPA: ~2.5/4.0 GRE: V 148 / Q 154 / AW 5.0 Age: 23 Languages: English, Spanish Work Experience: - Summer internship in Pharmaceutical company - 1 year of undergraduate research (nothing published) -6 months working in an analytical R&D lab in the liquid chromatography department (currently working) LORs: 1 great LOR from current lab supervisor, 1 great from Math professor who's known me my entire undergraduate career, 1 okay from professor I did research with (was upset I didn't publish, but still did good work) SOPs: Still working on and revising Concerns: 1. Low GPA I've been networking like crazy with professors of interest who've encouraged me to apply. I'm also voluntarily meeting with a few in person. My hope is that by traveling to see them, it'll demonstrate that I am in fact serious about graduate school. Also, I will also be taking the GRE Chemistry Subject Test in a few weeks to increase my chances. Please let me know of any approach I should take. Thank you!

Yeah, that's a mistake some people make. I don't plan on adding to my already existing undergrad debt. Thanks again!

That's the advice I've been getting. But I guess I'm in the mindset of at least applying so I know for sure I wasn't competitive enough to get in. From looking at other forum posts, a lot of people have suggested getting a Masters, doing very well, and then applying to higher ranked programs. And that seems to work for them. Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated!

Program: M.S/PhD in Analytical Chemistry Schools Applying To: SUNY Buffalo, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), University of Rochester, University of Maryland College Park, Tufts University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Rutgers New Brunswick Interests: Analytical Chemistry (HPLC) Undergrad Institution: State School in Pennsylvania Undergraduate GPA: 2.7/4.0 Undergraduate Major: Chemistry Undergraduate Minor: Mathematics Major GPA: ~2.5/4.0 GRE: V 148 / Q 154 / AW 5.0 Age: 23 Languages: English, Spanish Work Experience: - Summer internship in Pharmaceutical company - 1 year of undergraduate research (nothing published) -6 months working in an analytical R&D lab in the liquid chromatography department (currently working) LORs: 1 great LOR from current lab supervisor, 1 great from Math professor who's known me my entire undergraduate career, 1 okay from professor I did research with (was upset I didn't publish, but still did good work) SOPs: Still working on and revising Concerns: 1. Low GPA I've been networking like crazy with professors of interest who've encouraged me to apply. I'm also voluntarily meeting with a few in person. My hope is that by traveling to see them, it'll demonstrate that I am in fact serious about graduate school. Also, I will also be taking the GRE Chemistry Subject Test in a few weeks to increase my chances. Please let me know of any approach I should take. Thank you!

I was wondering if someone could help me out? I want to know my realistic chances of getting into a graduate program with my current credentials. I'd be willing to go the Masters route prior to a PhD if that's necessary. My undergrad major was Chemistry and my minor was Mathematics. Long story short, I was an immature kid my first few years in college and didn't take much seriously (wasn't a party-goer, just lacked drive). Ultimately, I got my act together and retook several major and minor classes, going from D's and F's, to A's and B's. I spent a total of 5 years in undergrad. Going into my 5th year, I had just gotten out of a bad relationship which left me depressed and unmotivated. As a result, I got D's in all my major classes my final year, which obviously caused a major hit to my GPA. All in all, my cumulative GPA is 2.7, while my major GPA is ~2.5. I know this doesn't look good from an academic standpoint since my final year showed a complete decline from my recent semesters of trying to pull my grades up. However, I've done as much as I can do to improve in other areas. The summer before my final school year, I had an internship at a pharmaceutical company (not much lab work, but a way to get my foot in the door). I also have one year's worth of research under my belt (nothing published). Since graduation (May 2017), I've been working in an analytical R&D lab in the liquid chromatography (LC) lab. As far as letters of recommendations go, I know I'll have 2 great ones (1 from current lab supervisor who's very impressed by my work ethic and eagerness to learn and 1 from math professor who's known me my entire college career) and 1 okay letter from my research instructor (for being unable to publish, but still producing good work). I took the GREs and I'll be taking the GRE Chemistry subject test in a few weeks. GRE Score: 148V, 154Q, 5.0AW I've already reached out to potential advisers from multiple programs and have heard back from a few. I'm trying to network as best as I can so that they could possibly overlook my GPA. I'm aware that certain programs have automatic cutoffs and, in some cases, professors can petition to get you in. I've inquired to many programs that are more willing to do this. So far, my current choices are as follows: University of Maryland College Park, University of Rutgers New Brunswick, Rochester Institute of Technology (Masters), University of Rochester, SUNY Buffalo, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Tufts University I know many people on this forum say this, but I know I am a hard worker and I have the passion and desire to want to pursue a PhD. The only thing standing in my way is convincing an admissions' committee of this. If anyone could offer me any advice on what I should do or what approach to take, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks and I wish the best to all who are trying to pursue their educational endeavors!

I was wondering if someone could help me out? I want to know my realistic chances of getting into a graduate program with my current credentials. I'd be willing to go the Masters route prior to a PhD if that's necessary. My undergrad major was Chemistry and my minor was Mathematics. Long story short, I was an immature kid my first few years in college and didn't take much seriously (wasn't a party-goer, just lacked drive). Ultimately, I got my act together and retook several major and minor classes, going from D's and F's, to A's and B's. I spent a total of 5 years in undergrad. Going into my 5th year, I had just gotten out of a bad relationship which left me depressed and unmotivated. As a result, I got D's in all my major classes my final year, which obviously caused a major hit to my GPA. All in all, my cumulative GPA is 2.7, while my major GPA is ~2.5. I know this doesn't look good from an academic standpoint since my final year showed a complete decline from my recent semesters of trying to pull my grades up. However, I've done as much as I can do to improve in other areas. The summer before my final school year, I had an internship at a pharmaceutical company (not much lab work, but a way to get my foot in the door). I also have one year's worth of research under my belt (nothing published). Since graduation (May 2017), I've been working in an analytical R&D lab in the liquid chromatography (LC) lab. As far as letters of recommendations go, I know I'll have 2 great ones (1 from current lab supervisor who's very impressed by my work ethic and eagerness to learn and 1 from math professor who's known me my entire college career) and 1 okay letter from my research instructor (for being unable to publish, but still producing good work). I took the GREs and I'll be taking the GRE Chemistry subject test in a few weeks. GRE Score: 148V, 154Q, 5.0AW I've already reached out to potential advisers from multiple programs and have heard back from a few. I'm trying to network as best as I can so that they could possibly overlook my GPA. I'm aware that certain programs have automatic cutoffs and, in some cases, professors can petition to get you in. I've inquired to many programs that are more willing to do this. So far, my current choices are as follows: University of Maryland College Park, University of Rutgers New Brunswick, Rochester Institute of Technology (Masters), University of Rochester, SUNY Buffalo, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Tufts University I know many people on this forum say this, but I know I am a hard worker and I have the passion and desire to want to pursue a PhD. The only thing standing in my way is convincing an admissions' committee of this. If anyone could offer me any advice on what I should do or what approach to take, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks and I wish the best to all who are trying to pursue their educational endeavors!