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naked truth

Critique*. Parents*... Please spellcheck before posting...

Your GRE is very low for STEM. Idk what percentile that is but both Q and V dont look good. Consider retake GRE. Since your GPA isn't stellar (what's your major GPA?). Do you have any publications? Are your LoRs awesome? Volunteer activities only count if they are science related. Good luck!

I'll be honest to you: better safe than sorry. Retake it if you can. your writing is okay but Q and V aren't good. You are applying for top schools in the country, hence competing with the best applicants out there. I'd say polish every aspect of your application, as much as possible. You have time.

It troubles me that someone who has had (what seems like) a ton of research experience like you wouldn't know where to apply. How about your research interests? What journals/authors are you following? Wouldn't your research advisor(s) inform you of prominent researchers within your research interests? Where do you see yourself living happily for 5-6 years?... Do some homework before asking this kind of super generic questions, please.

My cohort got them the second week of May. Have you tried calling them?

I hope when you apply, you address them correctly as "Boston University".

I'm shortlisted for donating an organ. I have discussed this with my PI and hes being supportive. I believe everyone should. I'll keep you and your baby in my prayers

Dude, your credentials are really good. But before asking everyone what "top programs" you could get into, have you had some research interests in mind? Have you looked at POIs' research topics on their websites? Have you found any topics/POIs you feel excited enough to work for 5-6 years? Your best fit might not be in top schools at all. If you answer yes to the last question, dont give a rat's ass about what strangers on the Internet say, just do your best on your GRE, SOP and go ahead apply!

Definitely in order of your most favorite to your least favorite. Esp if it works out, you can even ask to not do the rest of rotations (or get the papers signed without actually do the rotation), depending on the programs. The sooner you find out where you want to end up, the sooner you can call "dibs"

I'm reminding myself to upvote you in the morning! "You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day" Queen of Kale, this post touched my soul!

Your V and Q are very competitive! Your TOEFL is good too. Don't be too hard on yourself! I'm sure when you practice more, you would get your AWA score up to snuff. My advice is to prepare a General outline for each essay, and fill in your ideas according to the specific tasks, so you don't have to waste any of your precious 60 minutes to figure it out. It might not get you a 6 but a 4.5 to 5 is very doable! Good luck!

What i think is that is an excellent recipe for a disaster.

That is quite possible. But keep in mind that the sooner you know what exactly that you want to pursue, the better. Rotations are more common for biology or biochemistry. How do you decide that you prefer inorg/phys chem without research experience in these subfields? Not to mention biochem majors dont take all the coursework of chem majors.

gz390, focus on the positive aspects of your application. It looks like you DO have research experience, just not a lot. Your SOP should deliberate how your own research experience and coursework are relevant to graduate studies, and you know what it takes to do productive and meaningful research. I would say go ahead apply if other aspects (GPA, GRE, LoRs) are good. Good luck! Edit: Ditto what NicolasCage said!

Can you do research in Inorg/Phys Chem lab instead? I got my honors degree in Biochemistry like you, but most of my research is in Computational chemistry, and Polymer Synthesis. I got in all the schools I applied just fine. I would say with a Biochem degree, you would definitely need strong research experience in Inorg/Phys Chem in order to compete for those competitive spots. Good luck!

'Must be nice!' This is separate from another fellowship I got. Because the dept is paying me, I feel a bit pressured to be super awesomely productive... Thoughts?

Thanks Eigen! An early bird program is designed to facilitate select students to begin their research early; they get to pick their own mentors and get paid full stipend. I'm doing it for 10 weeks starting this June. Afaik, many schools do this now.

I am offered to do an early-bird research program by my Chemistry Department this summer. As an incoming PhD student in the Fall, I'm incredibly excited about getting my feet wet and settling in before school starts. Some background info about me: I'm a theoretical/computational chemistry student that have done 2 years of computational research (molecular dynamics), but steering to a more theoretical approach (quantum theories -- electronic structure). Very very different line of work, so even though the new research mesmerizes me, it also terrifies me. I would love to have advices on how to make the most of this program? How did YOU start your journey as a baby scientist, learning an entirely new research area from scratch? Did you start research early, how did you do it? What would you have done differently? Thanks so much in advance

Anyone got a timbuk2 swig or timbuk2 ram? Standing tall (!) at 5', I'm looking for a smaller, understated backpack. And if I ever got $$$ to splurge, this would be it http://www.hardgraft.com/products/back2back-allgrey

For those whose home countries are faaar away and air tickets cost an arm and a leg (like mine), keep an eye out for conferences in the area. It's much more doable that way ;-)

Oh wow. Tread lightly there, mate! I think that is a rather naive viewpoint about grad schools and creative people.

wolf pack

PMed you.

It took about a month for me, for all the schools i visited. If you already sent a receipt, please be patient. I have never heard of any reimbursement "blow off". And dont expect any confirmation on yr paperwork either.