An255

Hi everyone! I have a question about applying to materials science programs. I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to post this, but since there isn't a materials science specific forum, I thought this might be a good place to ask! I am just wondering if most people apply to materials science programs after having contacted specific potential advisers, or if most people just apply to the department in general? I ask because in my undergraduate field (chemistry) it is most common to simply apply to a department without specific potential advisers picked out, as many departments go through lab rotations once you arrive. On the other hand, I have been working in the geology department at my undergrad institution, and have seem that in geology departments lab rotations rarely happen. Most students contact prospective advisers before applying, and these advisers become one of the main deciding forces behind whether or not a student is accepted. Since we don't have a materials science program at my undergrad institution, I am having a hard time finding out about how this is usually handled in materials science! Sorry again if I should have posted this somewhere else. Thanks so much for your help!

Hi everyone. I'm sorry if this is an obvious question, but I am having a hard time figuring it out. Out of the six universities I am applying to all of their applications are handled by only three application companies (like ApplyWeb). Does anyone know if companies like ApplyWeb handle the contact with and accounts for recommenders? Or do the individual universities have their own systems for letter writers? I am asking because one of my recommenders said they have had trouble in the past getting accounts set up to submit letters, and they don't want to deal with that again. So I am hoping that if they make one account with ApplyWeb, they will be able to use it to upload letters to all the universities that use it. Does anyone know if this is the case? If not I am considering signing up for Interfolio. Thank you!

Hi everyone. This might be a really silly question, but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere! Does anyone know if admissions committees will wait for GRE scores and letters of rec before beginning to go through an application? I am applying to PhD programs this fall, and basically I am just wondering because I'm not sure if it is best to wait a little later to take the GRE (like mid-October) to give me more time to study, or to take it earlier (like late September) so my scores get off earlier. I am hoping to have all my apps submitted by early October (fingers crossed!) but if the committees will start reviewing them before getting my GRE scores, I won't rush on taking the GRE. Sorry if this is really obvious, but for some reason I can't figure it out. Thanks!

Great thanks Waddle! I would definitely like to do some kind of internship next summer. I'll have to look into chemistry programs. Haha and I have noticed the difference in geologists. Hadn't thought of the alcohol being the reason! I'd love to see such a contest

Hi guys. I am an undergrad just starting research in my school's geology department. I am interested in inorganic chemistry, and the lab I will be working in does a lot of x-ray diffraction work. I am wondering though, if grad schools care what area of chemistry you do research in? Seeing as I'm still so far from applying, I'm not sure what area I ultimately want to work in. Is doing research in this lab going to pigeon hole me into going into inorganic in grad school? Also, I do like this lab a lot, but would I be better off in a chemistry department lab? Thanks!