What are my Chances for top PhD Programs in Organic Chemistry?

[TheChemistress]

Hey everyone,

I was hoping to get some insight into what my chances might be for admissions to PhD programs in organic chemistry. Any constructive criticism is much appreciated!!

 

Undergrad Institution: UCLA
Major(s): Chemistry
GPA in Major: 2.90, upper div: 3.0 (First two years were ROUGH--was between a 2.6-2.8 overall GPA. Third and fourth years were a significant improvement academically).
Overall GPA: 3.20
GRE Scores: Q: 163, V: 165, W: 5. Taking the Chem GRE in 2 weeks!

Interests: Transition metal catalysis, organometallic chemistry, experimental and computational mechanistic study.

Schools I'm Applying To: Princeton (my number one), UPenn, UMich, MIT, UC Berkeley, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Minnesota

Research Experience: 2.5 years working in an inorganic/organic chemistry lab on boron cluster-based applications to organic synthesis. 1.5 years in a computational organic chemistry lab studying cycloadditions as well as transition metal catalysis/photoredox catalysis.

Publications: First paper is inorganic/organic in Chem, authorship: 6/11. Second paper is inorganic/organic, about to submit, authorship: 2/2. Third paper is computational organic, manuscript in progress, authorship: 2/2. Fourth paper is a photoredox collaboration for which I did calculations, so I'll probably be towards the end of the authorship--manuscript in progress. Hoping to have them submitted before I apply!!

Relevant Advanced Coursework: Practical and Theoretical Organic Synthesis, Organic Spectroscopic Methods, Organometallic Chemistry (grad class), Physical Organic Chemistry (grad class).

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Research fellowship for summer 2019, awarded by the department of chemistry.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for lower division organic chemistry courses (Summer 2019-present), tutor for lower division organic chemistry courses (Summer 2016-present), member of AXS, the professional chemistry fraternity (Fall 2016-present).

Edited October 13, 2019 by TheChemistress

[Chemwag]

I think I'm in a similar situation

Here is my Stat

Undergrad Institution: Cal, SNU (Masters)
Major(s): Chemistry
Overall GPA: 2.80, 4.0/4.3 masters gpa
GRE Scores: Taking next week!

Interests: Total Synthesis of Natural Product

Schools I'm Applying To: Princeton, Caltech, Stanford (three top choices), Cal, UCLA, Scripps, Northwestern, Yale, Harvard, UChicago

Research Experience: Prob total of 4 yrs or so. All relating to total synthesis~

Publications: 3 papers in total. First one, 4th author (IF: 1-2), Second one, first author (IF: ~9), Third one, first author (IF:~7)

Hope we get into the schools we are shooting for!

I'm sure with your extensive research, stellar SOP and recs. your application will be noticed. You should also contact professors ahead of time if you haven't already done so.

Best of Luck

PS More people should join in I have noticed that there isn't a Fall 2020 cycle LOL

[clickchem01]

Is anyone here who applied from the UK?