What do you guys think I'm being realistic in applying to the following programs based on my stats. I plan on studying in the areas of catalysis/method development and organic synthesis.
I'm applying to PhD programs at Scripps, UC Irvine, UCLA, Cal Tech, UIUC, MIT, UPenn, Princeton, BU, UChicago, UT Austin, and Yale.
Background:
In 2021, I graduated from a prominent state school in the north east with a decent chemistry department. Since graduating in May of 2021, I have been working as a research associate at a small-mid sized biotech company (~200 employees).
Grades:
GPA: 3.93/4 (4.0 chemistry GPA)
GRE: Haven't taken them. It seems like most if not all of these schools have gotten rid of GRE requirements after COVID, but if they change their policies then I will take them.
Research:
During undergrad, I spent 2 years in synthetic organic/medicinal chemistry lab (more like 1.5 due to COVID keeping me home for one semester). I have no publications and did not give presentations at any conferences due to Covid (I did make and share a poster within the department, but I don't think that matters). It's also worth noting that my PI was not a faculty member at my university. He's a researcher at a connected medical research center, so he's not well connected outside of my university.
I was supposed to do a REU/SURF at Scripps after my junior year, but it was cancelled due to Covid.
Since graduating, I've spent a little over a year doing research on bioconjugations. Specifically, my work is mostly concerned with conjugating oligonucleotides and small molecules to mAbs and exploring new linkers both commercially available and novel (which I have synthesized).
Letters of Rec:
My undergrad PI will provide a strong letter (he told me I was one of the best students he's gotten to work with and we still communicate).
Current supervisor will also provide a strong letter
Final letter is from my ochem professor who served as my unofficial academic advisor while I was in school. He connected me with my PI and I still communicate with him as well. This will be my weakest letter as he can't speak to my research, but I still think it will be relatively strong.
Awards:
ACS Award in Physical Chemistry
I was awarded two separate scholarships from the department for merit
I had one other scholarship from the School my department was in (i.e the School of Arts and Sciences)
Extracurriculars:
I worked an on campus job prior to covid (in addition to my research)
Question
hemroid99
Hi all,
What do you guys think I'm being realistic in applying to the following programs based on my stats. I plan on studying in the areas of catalysis/method development and organic synthesis.
I'm applying to PhD programs at Scripps, UC Irvine, UCLA, Cal Tech, UIUC, MIT, UPenn, Princeton, BU, UChicago, UT Austin, and Yale.
Background:
In 2021, I graduated from a prominent state school in the north east with a decent chemistry department. Since graduating in May of 2021, I have been working as a research associate at a small-mid sized biotech company (~200 employees).
Grades:
GPA: 3.93/4 (4.0 chemistry GPA)
GRE: Haven't taken them. It seems like most if not all of these schools have gotten rid of GRE requirements after COVID, but if they change their policies then I will take them.
Research:
During undergrad, I spent 2 years in synthetic organic/medicinal chemistry lab (more like 1.5 due to COVID keeping me home for one semester). I have no publications and did not give presentations at any conferences due to Covid (I did make and share a poster within the department, but I don't think that matters). It's also worth noting that my PI was not a faculty member at my university. He's a researcher at a connected medical research center, so he's not well connected outside of my university.
I was supposed to do a REU/SURF at Scripps after my junior year, but it was cancelled due to Covid.
Since graduating, I've spent a little over a year doing research on bioconjugations. Specifically, my work is mostly concerned with conjugating oligonucleotides and small molecules to mAbs and exploring new linkers both commercially available and novel (which I have synthesized).
Letters of Rec:
My undergrad PI will provide a strong letter (he told me I was one of the best students he's gotten to work with and we still communicate).
Current supervisor will also provide a strong letter
Final letter is from my ochem professor who served as my unofficial academic advisor while I was in school. He connected me with my PI and I still communicate with him as well. This will be my weakest letter as he can't speak to my research, but I still think it will be relatively strong.
Awards:
ACS Award in Physical Chemistry
I was awarded two separate scholarships from the department for merit
I had one other scholarship from the School my department was in (i.e the School of Arts and Sciences)
Extracurriculars:
I worked an on campus job prior to covid (in addition to my research)
Was the treasurer of my fraternity for a year
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