Hey all! Looking for some advice on how my application might be seen. Any constructive feedback is very welcome!
I'm planning to apply during the 2018-19 cycle. I am currently 27, but will be 28 when I apply. I'm older because I screwed up undergrad the first time...GPA then was roughly 2.1. During that time, I took no chemistry courses. When I returned a couple of years ago to get my degree, I discovered a passion for chemistry and ended up getting my degree in Biochemistry from a top research institution. My GPA during my "return years" was a 3.5. I ended with a final GPA of 2.4 and a chem GPA of 3.5. During my return years, I did research in a lab but produced no publications. I will have a strong (but not raving) LOR from that PI, as well as another pretty strong LOR from a professor who I took graduate courses from as an undergrad.
I worked outside of chemistry over the last year because I had financial obligations I had to quickly meet. I couldn't immediately secure employment in chemistry so I went back to my old employer, where I knew I could earn the money I needed quickly. A year later, that's done, and I'm able to pursue my PhD.
Between now and next year, I am working in a different lab at my former institution, and my goal is to really put the pedal to the metal over the next 12 months. Hopefully I can produce some work worth mentioning in the field I want to continue to investigate, and I will have a strong LOR from the PI.
I destroyed the GRE (92nd verbal, 99th quant) but have yet to take the chem GRE. As a strong test taker, I feel confident I will get 70+ percentile but it remains to be seen how well I will do.
How would you view me as an applicant? Obviously, I have weaknesses. Any rough idea what level of institution I would have a shot at getting into? Any idea how my age will be viewed by admissions committees?
