any successful grad applicants in programs they didn't do their undergrad in?

[MoJingly]

I did my undergrad in music, and now I'm in a grad program in pathology ;-)

[atmaero]

I did my undergrad in music, and now I'm in a grad program in pathology ;-)

now THIS is what we were all looking for.

Quite a leap. Your story must be interesting....

[MoJingly]

Haha. It makes a little sense. I did my undergrad in music with thoughts of continuing to medical school. Then after I began thinking about continuing with music, I got tendinitis in my arm and couldn't play anymore. So now, after a quick stop at a postbacc premed program to pick up some science courses, I am in a PhD program in pathology studying musculoskeletal injury. I've been pretty active in the field of Performing Arts Medicine, which works to prevent injuries like mine to musicians, and I'm interested in applying what I learn in my research to music pedagogy.

(That's the condensed version). It's been a fun trip!

[TheSquirrel]

If you got accepted into a program which you didn't major in during your undergrad, could you share your story and your background and any tips?

Thanks.

I did my undergrad in English literature. Did my Masters in a totally different field (International Relations).. had no problem being accepted, without even having to take remedial courses. My first ever political science-related course was at the MA level. It was kinda scary at first, because everyone seemed to know tons of stuff that I had no idea about, but I caught up with them very quickly.. Now doing a PhD in Political Science...

[TheSquirrel]

As for tips, well, in your statement of purpose, do not try to justify bad grades or why you did not do your undergrad in the field you're now interested in. Put a more positive spin on it. Say something like, you were experimenting with your interests in undergrad (that's what most people do anyway -- I spent the first two years of my undergrad majoring in Computer Science, by the way ....), but you've now found your true interest.. also, do not talk about bad grades. That often goes hand in hand with the fact that you're jumping into unknown subjects. In my SOP I never brought up the fact that I had bad grades in my undergrad years. Especially if you're applying for PhD, mentioning that stuff is a sign of weakness... undergrad grades are less indicative of your potential for success than are MA grades.. Just my 2 cents.

[koli0701]

I did my BA in Rhetorical and Analytical Writing with a minor in Psychology. I'll be starting a MS in Nutritional Science.

[comm1980]

B.S. in Political Science, M.A. in Professional Writing, M.B.A., and starting my Ph.D. in Communication this fall. Pretty varied but to me it all makes sense

[tiredwaiting]

I did my undergrad in Automobile engineering and now i'll be starting my masters in Environmental studies...

[UnlikelyGrad]

I did my undergrad in music, and now I'm in a grad program in pathology ;-)

No wonder you play the ukelele so well!

I got my undergraduate degree in chemistry (with biochem emphasis) and am now doing geochemistry. It's taken a lot of work to get up to speed on the geology stuff, but I'm having fun.

[bluetubeodyssey]

My undergrad was Cybernetics (mathematical modeling of biology), my post-bacc was Classics, and I'm entering an Indo-European Linguistics Ph.D. program in the fall. What a fun and crazy ride it has been!

[turtles]

I have a BA in environmental science, a MS in geochemistry, am currently doing a MS in applied math, and will be starting a PhD in geography in the fall. This looks more scattered than it really is--everything except the math degree is all the same sort of research, it's just that what I do doesn't fit into one department very well so where I end up depends on the school.

As far as tips go, when I was applying for the math MS I talked to the program director and explained that while I didn't have all the pre reqs, I had a variety of related academic experience that I thought would prepare me adequately. I'm pretty sure that if I hadn't communicated with him before submitting my application he probably wouldn't have considered letting me in. I also spent a fair bit of my personal statement explaining how this degree fit with my prior experience and what I planned to do in the future, so it looked less like I was randomly switching departments for a year. (And when I was applying to PhD programs in my usual field, I again made sure to justify this year of doing math and fit it into my overall career plan.)

[Hanyuye]

I did my undergrad in music, and now I'm in a grad program in pathology ;-)

Yes!! Finally, after allll the posts before this, something completely different. More posters like you please!

I completed my BA in English now pursuing MS/PHD in Applied Math/Biostatistics.

TheSquirrel, your advice is invaluable. How exactly did you bring about your other interests in a positive spin? I would greatly appreciate it if you can pm me.

Edited April 1, 2012 by Hanyuye

[edost]

I'm starting a Ph.D. in Mass Communications, which, technically, if you look at my previous degrees, is a new direction for me, but the truth is that it is a natural continuation of what I've done until now. It was my minor as an undergrad (majored in PoliSci), then during my MA in PoliSci/Mideastern Studies I wrote a thesis that could have just as easily been in Mass Comm. I then did another MA in creative writing. After that, persuing a Ph.D. in media studies was just the natural thing to do.

[new_to_kin]

I did my undergrad in music, and now I'm in a grad program in pathology ;-)

I also did my undergrad in music, masters in music and am going to start a phd in Kinesiology. Also studying musicians' injuries. Go figure.

[hawkeye7269]

I have a BS in Biology and BA in history, and I'm starting a Ph. D in English literature in the fall. Because I just wanted to try EVERYTHING.

[Hanyuye]

I have a BS in Biology and BA in history, and I'm starting a Ph. D in English literature in the fall. Because I just wanted to try EVERYTHING.

Jeez, how did you convince the adcomms on that one!? I commend you!

[p00f]

My undergrad BS degrees are in pure math and civil engineering with an emphasis in structures. I got into a 3 year UK PhD program investigating structural deformations, but my structural knowledge is mostly limited to building and steel/concrete properties.

[GreenePony]

Ug in Anthro but minored in Museum studies, starting an museum studies program in the fall. My minor meant I took the basic intro classes (with an internship and one grad level class) and looking over the course listings, my MA program doesn't even require those classes- except for the internship which they of course require. So not a lot of experience but enough to give me a good handle and a decent footing in the application process.

[Cici Beanz]

I did my undergrad in psych and am going for my masters in biological anthropology in the fall. In my SoP I tried really hard to articulate the links that I saw between the two fields, and it worked. It's not so much that I'll be looking at different things...more that I'll be looking at the same things from a different perspective. Honestly now that the panic of "oh my god they're never gonna let me in!" is over, I'm pretty happy that I'm gonna have some depth of knowledge in both disciplines. It fits with my worldview quite well.

[hawkeye7269]

Jeez, how did you convince the adcomms on that one!? I commend you!

I'm very sneaky. And I wrote a thesis on John Milton, which definitely helped.

[stell4]

Undergrad in chemistry and will be starting MS in health physics, not too far of a leap I suppose

[polarscribe]

Undergraduate BS in journalism, pursuing an MS in outdoor recreation with a focus on park interpretation.

[tiffanyamber81]

I did my undergrad in Human Rights and Equity Studies. Recently, I was accepted to a MA in Communication and Culture. My research focus is information and communication technologies and their link to the advancement to women's human rights.

[tiffanyamber81]

I did my undergrad in Human Rights and Equity Studies. Recently, I was accepted to a MA in Communication and Culture. My research focus is information and communication technologies and their link to the advancement of women's human rights. I made this link in my SOP.

[Jrock4real]

Well, I majored in physics and music. Senior year, I applied to seven PhD programs in Civil Eng (after deciding that Architecture was not going to work). But I really had no idea what I was doing. Six rejections came swiftly. Weeks after April, the last program offered me a Master's admission (obviously no funding). Thus, my job search began after graduation. I landed in teaching (private boarding school). I am currently in my second year, teaching mathematics! During the first year, I applied to just one PhD program, but was denied again. So, at the beginning of the second year, I launched a full-scale process, applying to ten programs, this time for Master's (thesis-based). Well, now, thankfully, I'm excited to begin a PhD this fall (one of my apps got upgraded)!

Many programs do appreciate the qualities students from nontraditional backgrounds bring to the table. But it think it's not as easy for physics majors to get into civil compared to mech/EE. By the way, I'm an international student.