General application woes.

[hippopotassium]

Howdy all,

I'm interested in applying to applied and environmental microbiology Ph.D programs next fall and would appreciate some input on my situation. For the last two years, I've been working in a molecular parasitology lab and I've gathered some pretty solid research experience, but no publications. I have given one poster presentation and might give another next fall.

Through the course of my undergraduate career, I've become more intersted in applied and environmental microbio instead, and I've got a couple of relevant classes but no relevant research experience. I've got an REU this summer where I'll be working on an environmental microbiology-type project and I'll be doing a poster on that as well, though. I did not join my undergrad lab "just" to get the research experience (Had I, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't've survived) - I do very much find the research of the lab interesting, but I do not see myself staying in this field for grad school.

My overall GPA is 3.030*, and my in-major is 3.585. I've tried to challenge myself with classes outside of my field of study (including upper-level biochem courses and math courses beyond what's required) but this has not always worked out (obviously).

*Haven't gotten the grades in from this semester yet. They probably won't change my GPA too too much, though.

I haven't taken the GREs yet but I'm going to study my face off for both the regular GRE and the biochem subject test, and I expect to be successful next fall.

I realize that due to my barely-past-3.0 GPA, a lot of my application depends on LORs, my personal statement, and my research experience. I think that I can write a good personal statement if I start early enough. I plan to emphasize that spending that much time in a research lab taught me how to work in a lab and to follow through with a project, but I don't know if this is wimpy material or not. It wasn't a wimpy experience or set of realizations for me, but I wonder if I should go on at length about something that might be considered a given for an applicant. How can I frame my strengths and experiences against a not-so-stellar GPA without writing about it explicitly?

Also, how should I populate my list of grad schools? I've got Berkeley on as an absurd reach, but I'm well aware it's a long shot. I've also got UC-Davis, CU-Boulder, ASU, and UBC on for a start.

Thanks for your input!

[<3Brains]

Don't worry too much about your lack of "relevant" research experience. I believe that many grad programs (certainly not all, but many!) just want you to have exactly what you mentioned -- experience working in a lab, asking research questions and finding some answers, and generally completing projects. I was accepted into plenty of electrical engineering programs with the intention of doing brain-machine interface work....and I have no EE research experience, very little brain-related research experience, and a degree in physics! If your SOP clearly explains why you want to pursue the research you say you're interested in and even explains some possible research ideas, it'll be strong. Also, it won't be as hard as you think to tie in your research -- while you're reading about the research of labs you want to join (so that you can explain why you're interested and why you're a good fit), it'll probably become more and more clear to you how your past research will give you an edge in your planned research.

I can't comment on which schools you should apply to. But worry not! Just get to work early

[hippopotassium]

Thanks for this thoughtful reply!

I've put a lot of thought into the type of research I want to do in grad school and I think I can write pretty passionately about it. The only thing in dire need of, ah, rescue, is my overall GPA. Most of this is due to taking courses that were too difficult for me (to be frank) at the time, and I bit off more than I could chew on multiple occasions (I'm frustrated that I did this on multiple occasions, but it's done). I've taken care of my major grades though and I'm a committed student. Is there any place on an application I can mention this? I feel like sticking it into a SOP would be pushing it.