polymer engineer

This was posted in last year's forum. Found it really helpful so wanted to share with this group as well! https://imgur.com/a/Tng2r

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Virginia Tech Major(s): Chemical Engineering, Focus in Polymers Minor(s): none GPA in Major: 3.61/4.00 Overall GPA: 3.51/4.00 *upward trajectory, >3.8 my last two years Demographics/Background: male, white, US citizen GRE Scores: haven't taken it yet but I'm targeting >= 165 V/Q, and 4.5 W Q: 169 (highest practice score taken so far) V: 155 (highest practice score taken so far) W: 5 (highest practice score taken so far) LOR: 1 research advisor in undergrad (strong), 1 PhD scientist I know in industry, 1 post doc or PI from research experience post college Research Experience: 2 years undergrad (polymers, additive manufacturing, rheology), 3 years industry (porous membranes, surface science), 3 months university lab (neuroscience) Publications/Abstracts/Presentations: 1 co first author publication, 1 poster presentation at graduate student assembly, a couple posters and presentations in industry Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Scholarship (x2), Deans list student Fellowships/Funding: n/a Pertinent Activities or Jobs: EHS internship, Project manager for research group in industry, tutored calc and chemistry, STEM mentor for high school science projects Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments: rode bicycle across US for charity Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.): Research Interests: biomaterials, regenerative medicine, polymers Institutions/Programs: Duke (BioE), UFlorida (ChemE), UT Austin (ChemE), Northwestern (BioE), Penn State (BioE) Comments:

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Virginia Tech Major(s): Chemical Engineering, Focus in Polymers Minor(s): none GPA in Major: 3.61/4.00 Overall GPA: 3.51/4.00 Demographics/Background: male, white, US citizen GRE Scores: haven't taken it yet but I'm targeting >= 165 V/Q, and 4.5 W Q: 169 (highest practice score taken so far) V: 155 (highest practice score taken so far) W: 5 (highest practice score taken so far) LOR: 1 research advisor in undergrad, 1 PhD technologist I know in industry, 1 post doc or PI from research experience post college Research Experience: 2 years undergrad (polymers, additive manufacturing, rheology), 3 years industry (porous membranes, surface science), 3 months university lab (neuroscience) Publications/Abstracts/Presentations: 1 co first author publication, 1 poster presentation at graduate student assembly, a couple posters and presentations in industry Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Scholarship (x2), Deans list student, Technical excellence award Fellowships/Funding: n/a Pertinent Activities or Jobs: EHS internship, Project manager for research group in industry Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments: rode bicycle across US for charity Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.): Research Interests: biomaterials, regenerative medicine, polymers Institutions/Programs: Duke (BioE), UFlorida (ChemE), UT Austin (ChemE), Northwestern (BioE or ChemE), open to other suggestions Comments: want to know if I'm being realistic about the schools I have listed

you should consider Duke as well. They have some impressive biomaterials research happening and they're bioE program is ranked highly along with some of the other universities you have listed. I'm also interested in biomaterials, and regenerative medicine so I am interested to hear how your application process goes

I can't say whether or not you could get into a top tier university, but generally that shouldn't stop you from applying. In the application process you want to apply to to 2-3 dream schools, 2-3 realistic, and 2-3 fall back schools. Minimum GPA and GRE scroes are required just for your application to get looked at but they ultimately don't decide whether you get accepted. What schools are really looking for is research potential and your experience speaks to that greatly. A publication will definitely help you a lot! With a GPA of 3.7 and good GRE scores I would encourage you to apply to schools like U Colorado if that's where you want to attend. I have a GPA of 3.5 (with strong upward trajectory) and I plan to apply to UT Austin and I feel like I have a decent shot of getting in based on my research experience if that says anything.

Can anyone speak to any of the following universities (likes, dislikes, program culture, reputations, life outside of school, etc.)? UT Austin (ChemE), Duke (BioE), U Florida (ChemE), Penn State (BioE), Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern

I want to share this experience with others and I don't know many people applying for the next enrollment season since I am a couple years out from graduating. Here's the template for submitting your credentials: Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Major(s): Minor(s): GPA in Major: x.xx/4.00 Overall GPA: x.xx/4.00 Demographics/Background: GRE Scores: Q: xxx (xx%) V: xxx (xx%) W: x.x (xx%) LOR: Research Experience: Publications/Abstracts/Presentations: Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Fellowships/Funding: Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments: Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.): Research Interests: Institutions/Programs: Comments:

Hi all, I know it's early but I am starting this thread so that anyone who is applying to the 2021 application season can their credentials or news of offers once they are sent out! Feel free to share anything related to your grad school goals!

Can someone comment on my chances of getting into the schools I have listed with my background? Interested in applying for enrollment in 2021 or 2022 and want to do what I can to develop into a stronger candidate in the meantime Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Virginia Tech Major(s): Chemical Engineering, focus in Polymers Minor(s): GPA in Major: 3.60/4.00 Overall GPA: 3.51/4.00 Demographics/Background: Caucasian GRE Scores: Q: xxx (xx%) TBD V: xxx (xx%) TBD W: x.x (xx%) TBD LOR: #1 Supervising research professor - polymer and composite materials #2 Supervising research professor - cellular and molecular neuroscience #3 Research PhD at company Research Experience: 2 years undergraduate in polymeric materials for 3D printing; 3 years in industry - ePTFE membranes, industrial applications; on-going research in neuroscience lab at UMB Publications/Abstracts/Presentations: 1 co first author publication, 1 poster presentation in undergrad, 2 poster presentations in industry Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Technical Excellence Award (2019), Merit Scholarship (2016,2017), Dean's List student, Outstanding member scholarship (2012) Fellowships/Funding: n/a Pertinent Activities or Jobs: EHS internship at GE Aviation, College recruiter for current company, STEM mentor at local high school, chemistry tutor, project manager for R&D team Other miscellaneous accomplishments cycled across the country for charity Anything else in your application that might matter: Research interests: biomaterials, neuroengineering, neural prosthetics Instituitons/programs: Duke, Northwestern, GA Tech,... on-going list still researching Comments: would love to hear about what other schools I should consider applying to!

@Ignatius Since this post I have taken on a volunteer research role at a local university in a neuroscience lab. I am doing ~10 hours a week in addition to my full time engineering job. My plan was to volunteer part time atleast through the end of 2020, then possibly seek out a research assistantship if all goes well and I like it. Do you think volunteer (6 months) + RA (6 months) would be enough experience to be competitive in the application process? Or do programs typically look for more experience? Right now I plan to apply in the fall of 2021 for enrollement in 2022. Also, are there good opportunities for neuroscientists wishing to study the neurobiology of mental illnesses? I read that private industry is not really investing in this area but there seems to be support through govt funding.

Okay, that honestly makes me feel a lot better. I thought in academia it was PI or bust, unless you went to industry which isn't my goal. (Shows how much I know) I like that there are staff scientist and research associate positions to fall back on. I really just want to do research (autonomy would be sweet) but if I can at least help advance the field I would consider that a worthwhile endeavor. Can i ask what your career goals are and some career moves that have helped you get to the position/direction you're in today?

Thanks for sharing your perspective. I’m not against post docs, I understand they’re a necessary part of the process and they help you establish a track record. But they do have a rather low salary which I don’t understand but I guess that’s just the way it is. I’m not primarily motivated by money but I can’t say that I’m not considering it. What scares me is going down this path and then not obtaining a position as a PI, and be left wondering what else I could’ve been doing with the time. If I felt I had good odds of becoming a PI I think the decision would be a lot easier. You mentioned how competitive it is, can you elaborate from your experience in the field?

I've graduated and have been working in industry for about 3 years. I have had research experience just not in a wet lab. So basically, if I could get experience in a biological lab and take a couple courses, then I could probably get into grad school. Just wondering if it's worth the opportunity cost to leave a stable work environment to pursue something more fulfilling.

Hi All, I am considering a career change from a chemistry background into neuroscience. I am passionate about mental health and want to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of psychiatric diseases. My question for this group is: will it be worth the opportunity cost to gain research experience, take biology classes, get into grad school and graduate to work in this field? Ultimately I want to run a research group / do research in a well funded lab but I see most academics come from very prestigious backgrounds. How likely is one to succeed in this field without grinding through years of endless postdoc appointments?

Hi All, I am interested in pursuing a career as a neuroscience researcher. I'm really interested in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of mental diseases and recovery. This interest is rather new and comes after working three years in industry as a material science research & development engineer. My educational background is in chemical engineering with a good GPA and research experience. I feel comfortable with my chemistry base but I lack biological education that I'm afraid will hurt me in the application process. I plan to take two courses in introductory biology and two courses in advanced biology online before applying. Other than that, does anyone have any advice or recommendation for applying to a neuroscience program without a traditional background?