Year Off

[toastmaster]

So I applied to MIT, Caltech, Harvard, Berkeley, Stanford, and Scripps and have not heard back from any of them. Seeing as many of my friends have heard from these schools already for the same program (chemistry), I'm assuming I did not get in anywhere. Starting to consider what to do with a year off before I reapply. Any suggestions?

[Usmivka]

First off, application season isn't over by a long shot. Top picks may have gone out, but that doesn't mean you weren't a lower pick or on a waitlist. If the goal is to get into grad schools next year, then the best thing you can do with your gap year is publish a manuscript and do another research project. This shows that you can do the full proposal to publication arc. The additional research will give you another resume blurb on a new research project, and potentially a stronger letter of recommendation from whoever you work for.

[frankstoneline]

If you would be willing to spend time in an MS program you could still apply to start next spring and transition into a phd track.

 

What branch of chemistry are you intending to focus on/what are your admission stats? You've applied to very competative programs, perhaps widening your search to schools with a little less name-recognition but still very good programs would help considerably in your next application round.

 

As Usmivka said, more research experience/publications certainly helps considerably as well.

 

If all else fails, do as Jeferey Lebowski says, "Get a job"

[paperandstaples]

I would be willing to do another research project...but I wouldnt even know where to look for one tbh (that is if I cant manage to get into any schools...I have no acceptances either at this point)

[St Andrews Lynx]

A number of pharma companies offer internships for chemists. I think that most of them are targeted towards undergrads doing summer placements, but it isn't unheard of for companies to take recent graduates for a 3-9 months (you're relatively cheap to run). It might be worth your while searching online for positions or sending out speculative CVs to pharma companies in your area. 

Advantages are that you get full-time research experience and a headstart if you decide to go into industry in the future. You also get a salary.

Disadvantages are that you are highly unlikely to publish anything whilst there. Industrial referees are often given lower weight than academic ones when it comes to applying for PhD positions. 

Just a thought. 

[Faraday]

You could always try to work whevever you are graduating from as a research assistant, building your connections with LOR writers in your department during that time. You probably wouldn't get paid much (if at all under some circumstances), but depending on your financial situation (parents allowing you to live with them) it might be the best choice if you can't find work elsewhere. As was mentioned above, academic positions are much more favorable as it tends so show your potential to work on a research project, hopefully developing critical thinking, literature review, and research-specific technical skills.

Edited February 1, 2013 by Faraday

[oopalfrootz]

Hey, don't lose hope yet! I was going mad because I hadn't heard from anywhere, till just a couple of days ago, when I heard from four places pretty much at once. I've still got one to go yet! And I sent off applications fairly early...