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stardust

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  • Location
    Midwest
  • Application Season
    2013 Fall
  • Program
    Undecided - Biology or Chemistry

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  1. Yeah, the local state school is about $8k/yr not including books, even for a resident. It's our 2nd largest. I'm going to check around.
  2. Thanks for the replies. Ideally, I'd do more a chemical oceanography program or geochemistry perhaps. Maybe biochemistry? We also have a good local freshwater program that I'll likely apply to (biogeochemistry). I posted here because I'll probably also apply to chemistry grad schools, at least that was the plan ... to be honest, I've sort of switched my way of thinking away from 'just' chemistry as I know my undergrad program is weak. I was worried that the combined weak degree + lack of research would be the killer for me. I'm not necessarily expecting to attend a top 10 or 20 program, but would like something decent. As far as the summers go, once I'm on stipend somewhere, the childcare cost won't be an issue anymore. Plus my oldest will be 11 by my "first summer", so it would only be a summer or two that I'd have to be concerned about that cost. And as I'll first have calculus this year (we didn't have enough students last year, so it wasn't offered), I'd be adding at least 1-2 additional years of school if I switch. I'd almost rather just finish, then attend post-bac at the state school (I won't qualify for any sort of aid there now, anyway). Heck, our physics isn't even calculus-based. All I need to take it is college algebra. The more I read into this, the more I'm getting concerned. Maybe I will apply elsewhere. It would suck a bit, though - with my scholarships I've got at my $26k/yr school, I'll end up paying considerably more to attend my state school. :/
  3. Yes, exactly. We have PhD'd lecturers, essentially. And when I say our department is small - I mean small. This past spring we graduated a total of eight (8) students. And that's between biology and chemistry. I'll start sending out e-mails to area labs this week and cross my fingers. I think I'll apply to the closest state school, just in case. Though that would add a year to graduation (and heck, I could work in a lab for that year, instead, and get paid for it). Thanks again for all of your advice.
  4. Thanks for your reply. My school actually does not put out any current research. Any research being conducted by our profs is independent of our school. The only one I know that is actually doing anything at the moment I 1) have not had as a prof yet and 2) it isn't in an area I'm interested in (wildlife). We have a new dept head, and the school is switching from 'college' to 'university' in fall 2013, so this will change. Unfortunately, I won't really benefit. So, while we don't have TAs in our labs, we don't really get to do any "real" research, either. Sure we do mock papers, etc, but that's it. In fact, my so-so LOR pretty much reiterated over and over how interested in grad school I am and how we don't have opportunities for research in our school (she'd said that my grades would speak for themselves, so she didn't want to focus on my classroom/academic achievements). My advisor recommended contacting one of the local state schools to essentially beg for a spot in their lab as an assistant. I am in the process of researching their labs in order to do so, but am a bit nervous about it. I was hoping to get into the other program, if I'm honest (much better reputation, even if it is biology). I haven't been rejected yet, but no interview invite, either. Thanks for the advice on my SOPs. I am literally taking every science course offered (that don't overlap) in an effort to do what I can. I would never bash my school - they do great with what we have, but tips like that are very helpful. I was originally a nursing major here after a 7-yr break from school, so I didn't originally choose the school for it's strength in science. I just fell in love with the sciences again (I'd gone to a science-specialty high school) and the department staff, and after a year of arguing with myself, I couldn't help but switch. My current primary interests are either genetics, oceanography or aquatic ecology. So, yeah, some experience would be nice. I like the idea of genetics, but might go crazy at a bench 24/7. In theory, a balance of fieldwork and benchwork would be great.
  5. Hi all. New here. So, I am a non-trad student at a small, private liberal arts college. I am currently a chemistry-health sciences major heading into what will technically be my junior year (despite actually having some 130 undergraduate college credits). I love chemistry, but our department is tiny. The only chemistry classes I'll be able to take are: 2 semesters gen chem 2 semesters org chem 1 sem analytical chem 1 sem inorganic chem 1 sem biochem Plus of course I'll take calculus and physics, required by major. And molecular modeling. No P-chem offered. Essentially, I am also taking enough biology classes (back-up plan?) that theoretically I could major in biology instead, though I'm less interested in pursuing it in grad school, I think. School won't allow a double major, so it'll be considered a minor. So, I've taken intro bio, physiology, and genetics already and will have several more to come (micro, advanced micro, ecology, evo/devo, molecular techniques, etc). My current school GPA is a 3.96 (science GPA = 4.0), though I've only been taking 12-13 credits per semester as I have two kids. Anticipating grad school apps, I'm taking 17 credits next semester, and will beef up spring as well. I transferred in a 3.6 GPA. I've won the only two science department awards offered. Though while that may possibly sound impressive, it's not like I was up against 300 other students. I was also elected chapter president of Tri-Beta for next year. I'm blessed I guess that being in such a small school I have good relationships with my profs. They run our labs and can testify to my work. The downside? A weak chem program and NO ACTUAL RESEARCH. Well, not on paper anyway, where it counts - I know in both ecology and advanced micro I'll do some minor, 'independent' research, though it's extremely unlikely to get published... it's just practice. Due to my two kids, I can't take a summer program (husband won't allow it as childcare will cost far more than I'll earn, and let's face it - I'm a college student and money is tight). I've applied to the one area school for a semester-long research program, but it requires 10 hours per week, and I'll be taking 17 credits ... and I haven't heard anything yet ... and it's biology, not chemistry. One LOR for the program was great, one was so-so (was given a copy AFTER it was sent in). So, am I going to end up screwed for grad schools here? I am contemplating switching my major to bio, though I'll lose a scholarship in doing so (that was one of my awards). Should I consider switching schools? I am terrified to, though. I am in my very early 30s, and have already attended two previous schools (one was a community college - I hadn't taken my ACTs, and the other was a business school). I worry that switching again will look even worse. And I do love our department profs. Feeling frustrated here. I feeling like I am running out of time/options here and could use some advice.
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