Kitkat

I am also looking at programs where I would be taking biology classes as well as geology classes, and that getting into the specific programs that I am looking at, they are looking at the best students for them out of the biology and geology students that will be applying. I was looking at average bio students taking the GRE in general, and they seem to score a decent amount lower then physical science student (geology students included, although we seem to be some of the lowest scoring groups out of the physical sciences group). Do you think that with top 10 schools, its generally better to have a higher Q score in general, just because they will be getting people with on average the highest scores anyway?

The research that I am working on is all cool and everything and that, and I am not completely ruling it out right now. It is a definite continuation for me. I am currently at Queens College, but my research advisor is also connected with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, which is also associated with Columbia U, (also a school that I am looking at). The lab that we are working on with this at Stanford is with Robert Dunbar, (this is very much a recent paleooceanography project). I am trying to keep my options open. I like what I am doing, but I think that I would be interested in paleobio stuff as well, over a longer period of time. And no, I didn't even know about that listserv yet, but I can see that being a good resource. But do we know how different/ difficult getting into a European school would be from the states?

I would be up for doing a blog of my geosciences experience.

So I did very well for the verbal section (640, in the 90+%) and got a 4.5 for the AW. I am not too worried about that since it is a science program (specifically I know it tend to fall under physical sciences). But what I am wondering about is my Q score. I only got a 670 (60+%) and am wondering if anyone knows if that will seriously impact me into getting into a good geology program. I am more interested in the historical/ not math based/ bio oriented aspects of the Geology Ph.D. programs, and do not know how important this is for that. I am doing research near to what I want to research, so far have two very good references that I can get, and hope to get at least one more before I start applying next year. I also currently have a 3.5 GPA, very similar GPA for the major, and a possibility of getting published in a major journal. With all of this, would that one part of my GRE really matter? Should I retake it again (some people said I should if I am looking at more top tier programs) or hope that other aspects make up for it? Let me know if you need more information about this ...

I am currently doing research on paleoclimates using isotopes from forms found in Antarctica, I have about 2 of the cores for that sample, and my lab is working with one over in Stanford. But I am thinking that my interests for grad school, I want to switch over to looking more at the environments that you can find in stratigraphic record. So I guess you can say that I am much more of the historical geology. I have been looking at some schools based on my research interests, and have liked how some of them look, but I am hoping that I won't miss any interesting school that I would like to look at as well. But then again, I still have time to look around. And because of my research, I will probably be going to some conferences, so I most likely be taking advantage of that before I start applying. And I would like to get the opportunity to go to one of the GSA conferences. Also, my advisors, both research and academic, have been very helpful in giving me advice, as well as trying to get me in touch with some people that they know, and I am hoping that helps. What programs are you interested in?

Hey everybody, I was wondering if there are any other geo majors out there looking at programs right now. How are you researching the programs? What are you all looking for in the programs? I feel like it is all a bit much, and that there are not that many resources out there, at least that I can find. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!