Introduction - unsure what to do

[evaunitone]

Hi guys,

to introduce myself, I'm a 27 year old in Denver, CO and I have a BS degree in Relgious Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a BS in Biology from Metro State in Denver. I've been working for a few years in brewing and I'm hoping to go to grad school in a year or so. I am, however, totally unsure what to do and what my chances are of success. I know I want to get a Masters in microbiology, but I can't decide between medical micro or environmental. I don't know the specifics of what I want to go to school for besides that it would be in one of the two areas I mentioned above. I love science and I love LOVE microbiology, but whatever I go to grad school for it is imperative that I am employable when I get out, obviously. I think both fields I mentioned should be good places to look for jobs in the future, but any opinions on which would be more likely to yield a job worth going to grad school for, would be appreciated. Also, I really want to avoid taking out loans to pay for grad school. I really would need to get into a program that would pay my tuition through a research fellowship or whatever else. I know I sound very naive, but I need some help with this stuff. All my other friends are either liberal arts majors and have no idea about grad school in the sciences, or they are people with jobs who have no interest in grad school.

I have a couple years of work experience after graduation, wokring in labs, and I worked in a research lab (as a lab assistant, not doing research) while in college. I do not have any research experience as an undergrad unfortunately. Please let me know any advice. ps Telling me that I have no hope of succeeding wouldn't be very nice, but if thats what you think I'd like to know.

I'm really unsure what my next steps are. I am taking the GRE in about a month after studying a lot for the last 6 months. So what do I do next? Look into schools and contact professors about potentially joining their lab in the future? I'm eager to get the ball rolling but I'm in the dark at the moment and can't seem to find the ball...

Thanks!

[ImmunoXX]

^{Every school is different, but you often have some flexibilty between programs if both are offered through the same department. For grad school you want to build a strong package for application. Depending on your Biology GPA, your GRE scores, who you can get letters of rec from, any publications, research experience, etc. The more the better, but no one thing is necessarily an app killer. I live in San Diego which has alot of biotech and research labs, so jobs are not really a problem even with just my BS degree at this point. You should research a few schools to get a feel for what they offer, what the applying is lilke, what kinds of research projects there are, etc. I'm not sure of funding for MS programs though, I am applying to PhD programs which in biology are usually fully funded with a stipend.}

[aberrant]

Based on the current economy, I don't think a lot of labs / programs offer fellowship for masters students in bioscience, unless you happen to work in one of the rich PIs. You can be a TA to pay off some of your tuition, but you'll still have to pay some for your tuition fees (not to mention your daily expenditure).

You should start writing a PS / SOP while asking a few people for strong LORs. Look for schools that offer MS program and pay attention to their admission requirement; talk (as in e-mail?) to professors that may potentially fund through your MS program.

[silver_wisps]

I'd suggest go for medical micro. Research funding for that comes much easier than for the environment. (personal opinion based on what I have observed so far) It is interesting though- your choice of subjects-religion & bio. Maybe if you have got great grades in there then you may use them to show yourself as a hard working candidate who wishes to explore the unexplored - and after studying (experiencing) these two , chose science over religion.

Brewing is a microbiology related work experience at least, so dont feel it is too hard for you-you were still connected to the life sciences, albeit in an industrial set up. If your grades are good, your LoRs are glowing, you get a good GRE score and you could write a good SoP about your industrial work experiences raising questions in you that you would like to be answered in your graduate studies, then - then you're definitely in!! Good luck!!