[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

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

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

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: 

[Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering Fall 2021 Admission Results]

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

[Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering Fall 2021 Admission Results]

On 5/27/2020 at 12:47 PM, Bioenglover said:

I'll start ?

 

Undergrad Institution (approx. rank/reputation in STEM): Undergrad: Tel Aviv University, Israel Grad: Columbia University

Major(s): Biomedical Engineering

Minor(s): N/A

GPA in Major: 3.8/4.00

Overall GPA: 3.2/4.00

Demographics/Background: White female, International student, First Gen, Women in Engineering 

 

GRE Scores: Planning to retake, GRE not amazing.

 

LOR: 1 from research supervisor, 1 from professor, debating on wether to ask for a letter from my summer internship boss (biomed startup - quality assurance internship) or from another professor (would love to hear your opinion)

 

Research Experience: Undergrad - almost two years. 3 years industry experience (research), grad school thesis in biomaterials

 

Publications/Abstracts/Presentations: 1 oral presentation, 1 conference 

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:  none

 

Fellowships/Funding: none

 

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:  Summer internship, 3 years as a project manager at a biomed startup

 

Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments: GRADSWE vice president

 

Anything else in your application that might matter (faculty connections, etc.): none

 

Research Interests: Biomaterials, Tissue and cell engineering 

 

Institutions/Programs: so far considering: (all biomed)

Rockefeller University

UCLA

MIT

UC Berkely 

Stanford

 

Comments: Honestly feeling like my background is not strong enough for PhD applications. Really worried...

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

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

On 5/12/2020 at 10:28 AM, Uma4783 said:

Hello guys. I am a junior chemical engineering major, am not applying for PhD until Fall 2021 however as I am doing a 5 year BS/MS. Having difficulties deciding what tier I would apply to.

At the time of applying I will have two posters, 3 years in the same lab, one research internship, plus part of my MS thesis, and maybe a pub if everything goes perfectly. Not sure yet about GRE but I assume it will be okay. 

The main issue is my GPA, I will have a 3.7 cumulative and engineering at the time of application but that is after 3 retakes and 2 pass/fail (this is for COVID semester). Is this enough to prevent me from applying to high tier schools. I was thinking University of Colorado? 

Thanks for any help lol. 

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.

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

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

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

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:

 

[Chemical Engineering PhD Fall 2021 Application Results]

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!

[Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering Applications for 2020 Admission]

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!

[Applying to Neuroscience PhD without Neuroscience background]

@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.

[Is Neuroscience research a worthwhile career?]

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?

[Is Neuroscience research a worthwhile career?]

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?

[Is Neuroscience research a worthwhile career?]

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.

[Is Neuroscience research a worthwhile career?]

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?

[Applying to Neuroscience PhD without Neuroscience background]

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?