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 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 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 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!!!

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!!!

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!!!

I am so glad there is a thread like this!

I had a low uGPA as well (2.8), was accepted to a Masters program (GPA 3.8) and then was admitted to a PhD program outside my field. 
Just finished my first semester with a 4.0! Haven't been able to say that since high school

Anyways, I would like to encourage anyone who has a low GPA and is considering graduate school to go for it! Your GPA does not define you!! I have a lot of issues with the way GPAs and GRE scores are used to weed out "weak" applicants. These factors matter the least when you look into what makes a successful graduate student/researcher. 

If anyone is looking for advice or reassurance, feel free to reach out!

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!!!