smc8339

Overall, what are admissions comittees looking at? Your score or the percentile that you're in? From what I've seen, the few schools that actually list a recommended overall GRE score don't mention percentiles. I would hope that they just take the raw score, and don't really pay attention to the percentile - I think the percentile just gives one perspective, something to quantify how they did.

What is in your schedule that doesn't allow you to volunteer (due to time restrictions)? Is it something that is a priority over getting experience? If it's classes, could you change the classes you are in? But if you can't, I would really focus on the classes during the final year- getting your GPA as high as possible. From there, maybe you could find a lab to volunteer in once you graduate. Oftentimes, working around a work schedule is easier than classes due to consistency. Moreover, professors wouldn't see you as someone that is going to leave soon (even if you think you are in order to go to graduate school). Most of my summer and school year research experience has been unofficial (not technically part of a structured internship program) because I always needed something that would work around my military obligations......just keep talking to people. I managed to get a research position at Cornell University simply because I networked, and continued to show people my true interest in the field. There are alot of ways to get experience which isn't part of an official program, like a summer internship. I think if you are able to find your way into a lab without being part of an official internship/REU program, it can even make you look more creative/motivated. Good luck!

Thanks for your response/advise. One professor I have been in contact with did just that- asked about my research experience/background (and whether I've taken the GRE-ugh), and for him, I sent along a copy of my CV (although I don't have my previous degree or any of my classes listed on there- if I did, it would be 6 pages long, lol). However, I have had one professor ask for my transcripts specifically- he has only one spot open in his lab, and he wants to look over my "application" to see if I have a good chance of getting accepted to the school before I wasted my time (as he put it). Should I still stick with just my Biology transcripts? I don't know why I'm so sensitive about this subject - I would feel differently if it went to an anonymous Graduate Admission Department and that was it...but this has to be looked at by an individual I admire for their scientifc work and could potentially be my PI (hopefully) for 5-7 years. I suppose alot of people change their minds.....just not anyone I know. Thanks again for your advice! You make my situation sound more normal

So, as with everone on here I'm sure, I am beginning the dreaded process of applying to graduate school for the Fall of 2013. With this in mind, I have a plethora of questions, so bear with me. Right now, I have contacted several professors about possibly joining their labs, as is standard for progams in Ecology and Evolutionary biology, and have gotten responses inquiring more about my background- and this is where I panic. I have a strong GPA (3.75) from a fairly highly ranked technical school, however, before my degree in biology, my academic background is a little rockier. Straight out of high school, I really was truly lost as to what I wanted to do. I started out in a photography progam because that's just what I was good at in high school, but ultimately, I ended up with a degree in Criminal Justice. What was I thinking, you ask? I wanted to be a lawyer. Not well thought out, I know. So through this, I went to several schools. Again, I obtained fairly good grades, graduating from my final school with a 4.0. Grade-wise, I'm only concerned about my first year of school where I just wasn't sure what I was doing and this is subsequently reflected in my academic record. So with all that explanation out of the way (phew!), I was wondering how lucid I should be about my background that doesn't pertain to my degree in biology. When professors ask about transcripts, should I be sending them ALL my transcripts? I know when I send my application to the Graduate Admissions Department, that all these transcripts will be sent, but I didn't know if this is something I should also offer individual professors. I would hate to have a professor agree to "represent" me under false pretenses, but I also don't want to offer up potentially harmful, and in the end, somewhat irrelevant information. In general, will this be weighed heavily in the admissions process? Also, is this something I should mention in my Personal Statement? I feel like overall I have a strong record in biology and really fear that my past screwups are going to hurt me. I just fear that it makes me look unfocused- which is not the case. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!