DRASTIC change from undergrad major. Is it possible? Am I crazy?

[liz6298]

My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a concentration in painting. Around senior year I was convinced I had absolutely no interest in having a career in the arts. I chose the major because I had no idea what I wanted to do, both my parents are I artists, and it was just easy for me. I finally realized I need to suck it up, follow the harder path, and get a biology degree. Laugh all you want, but I'm someone that believes in following one's dreams, and my passion lies in animals and the natural environment. The National Geographic "Emerging Explorers" are my heros. I know that's all just media stuff and zoology/ecology/conservation biology are very hard areas to find jobs in, but I've realized I'm just not going to be satisfied with my life unless I'm striving for something I really am passionate about. I tried to think of careers that can include these passions without actually having to get another degree, but none of it is what I really want to do.

I've done only a little research thus far, but am finding that most graduate programs don't have specific requirements for undergrad majors, though some have specific course requirements. I thought I may have to get a second bachelor's degree, but it looks like I might be able to get by with just getting course credit through community colleges and online, and gaining research experience through internships and volunteering. I do have some nitty gritty experience with exotic wildlife rehabilitation and sea turtle conservation and know what I'm getting into, but I know this alone won't take me very far when it comes to actual research fields.

Time isn't a huge concern, but I am 24, have already spent a little too much time to get to where I am, and would like to get a degree as quickly as possible. More of a concern is money. I don't have any educational debt right now (woohoo!), but would be completely reliant on fellowships/loans/etc for extra courses and grad school itself.

So, does anyone have any experience with getting into graduate programs drastically different than their undergrad majors? Is it possible to start from scratch? I am in the process of finding faculty I find especially interesting and asking them for advice but I'll be surprised if I get much response at this point , and i thought I'd throw this out and maybe get some tips from you all. Or just some honesty saying the chances are so slim of getting in its not worth the effort, hah. Also, if anyone has recommendations for zoology/conservation biology (I know I need to narrow this down) programs in the US, I'd love to hear them.

[Quantum Buckyball]

It's really not just about the classes and degree. In your case, I think you should do a Masters first to see if it's for you or not, especially you don't really have a strong background.

It would be extraordinarily hard to convince the admission committee to accept you over applicants with a BS in Biology/Zoology with relevant research experiences/number of publications/scholarships/fellowships/teaching/volunteer experiences.

[epsilon]

Did you take any relevant classes during undergrad?

[iowaguy]

In your case, I think you should do a Masters first to see if it's for you or not, especially you don't really have a strong background. 

I think this is excellent advice.  Then, if your Masters goes well & you enjoy the field, you could apply for a PhD from a much stronger position...

[liz6298]

Thanks!

 

Unfortunately I had pretty much no relevant classes in undergrad. Environmental Science and one of those ridiculous intro math courses.

 

I also was thinking it would be best to get a Masters first, but was afraid even a Masters program would exceedingly difficult to get into. Would Masters be doable with extra courses, volunteering, and internships?

 

I was reading that some programs allow you to take any extra prerequisite courses in the first semester or so, but I'm guessing becuase I'm so far behind I would need to get at least a big chunk of the courses completed before even applying?

[w8inggame]

I just met someone who was in your predicament a few years ago, where he graduated with a degree in an unrelated field to what he found himself wanting to do. He however figured it out while getting his BA, so I really think you need those courses to even be competitive. He then found a job as a lab tech for a few years before applying to PhD and has made himself very competitive. Biology is a tough field to get into if you don't demonstrate the capability to learn and think. Also it's hard to get funding for research, now especially. I don't know if people will invest that money in someone who seems to have gotten this on a whim (not that I'm saying you do). Look for low-level jobs in the field you are interested in first, if they don't want you, it's likely grad schools are the same.

[quick1]

This is common in many fields. my undergrad degree isn't in anything close to what my Masters is in or what I'll be doing in my doctoral program come fall. 

 

Take a look at some of the programs (I'm assuming you're wanting a doctoral degree?) and see what their coursework requirements are. Then take them at your current school or any other school where the credits can be transferred. Others may be right though, a Masters in your chosen interest will show more background in the new area of interest and maybe make you more competitive for a doctoral program down the line. It'll also give you a chance to find your true interests in the field, test the graduate world waters, and prepare for your journey. 

 

But either way (Masters or doctorate) you will need a base core of required classes and that may vary from program to program. 

[structuralBio]

About the money issue, if you were to get into a doctoral program there is a good chance it would already be funded. But the thing is, you really aren't prepared. In order to apply for that, you really would need to basically go back and redo college. A master's program however, might be possible if you are willing to add a few more years on to your degree and take basic biology, basic chem, physics, calc, organic, maybe a biochem course and a course in ecology or zoology. So it would be hard, but doable

[liz6298]

Thank you all for the input.

I feel like the more I look into this the more lost I feel. I guess just because I'm realizing how "from scratch" I'm starting. It feels kind of stupid, like I'm a senior in high school all over again, so I apologize if I sound like a complete newbie. I also understand how this could be seen as a whim, but I really don't think it is, this has been where my passion lies my entire life, I just hadn't quite recognized it as such, or think of it as an actual career option. In school, I loved most areas of science, but was not very interested in math and, I don't know how to describe it, but the extremely scientific details. I'm not sure if this means this field isn't for me, or it just means I was your average teenager who didn't feel like putting much effort into anything that 'bored me.' I am so tired of not putting effort into something, using my mind, and working hard for something. I feel like the menial jobs I've had since graduating from college have drained the life out of me, and I desperately want to work hard on something I truly care about.

When looking at grad programs and the faculty and their research, many have these extremely specialized areas of interest, which makes me a little nervous. The things I want to do are more general at this point (travel, watch/study/play with animals, save the world, HAH), which again, makes me feel like a high-schooler asking questions on yahoo answers. How do I go about narrowing this down into a legitimate career? There are options besides really specific research, right? Or do you usually have to go through the lab stuff to be able to eventually get a 'dream job.' Believe it or not, I am an adult, and understand that even if I find a way to get paid to do the aforementioned things, there is a huge amount of boring/tedious/difficult parts to a career like that. I definitely learned that in the internship I did. Ok, so all that said, I still definitely need to go to grad school to be able to do the things I want to do correct? I'm a fairly intelligent person and I guess I can suck it up and take calculus and chemistry if it means following my dreams.

Am I right in thinking that a MS will open up my opportunities in the zoology/wildlife biology field greatly? I would at least have many more job opportunities than I do now... Also, can build a satisfying career on a master's alone or if I will definitely need a PhD eventually? Oh and is there usually much more funding for PhD programs than MS?

I've had a few people tell me to get an entry-level job in the area, but I feel like I need more experience and/or education to do even that. What sort of local entry jobs are there in these fields? Would anyone hire someone who is just beginning to take serious science classes? Are we talking about working at a zoo/wildlife conservation facility/etc? Are there other less obvious jobs that would be educational or impressive on a grad school application? I currently live in Atlanta, Ga and there are definitely options here, I'm just doubtful of anyone hiring an art student. I guess I should probably just contact some people at the zoo and different places to get some adivce and/or leads. I know I would need experience as well as courses to get into grad school, and it would make this a zillion times easier/quicker to have a job that gives me experience instead of having to work a random job to live off of, volunteer/intern to gain experience, AND take prerequisite courses.

Thanks again for the advice.

Edited March 13, 2013 by liz6298

[JasonHerbalExt]

I konw a guy who majored physics and got into bioengineer graduate program, because he's good at math and computer science. And he went to a biochem lab at his first grade in college. 

I have to say you should have a second thought unless you are rich, don't worry about your life and really really really in love with biology and you are pretty sure this love won't fade in next at least 10 years.

I know so many people who majored biology and now working in a totally unrelated area. I am one of them.