Is it even worth it?

[Johndg2]

Hello all,

     I've applied to 9 PhD programs in the Biomedical Sciences and like everyone else that is waiting to here back from programs regarding interviews, I'm eager to hear back soon.  Most of the programs I've applied to have later application deadline dates, but a couple of programs had deadlines in early December.  For one program, I actually visited my POI in early December and the visit went very well, he said that "our conversations were productive" and "you have a great personality and all the tools to be a successful doctorate student." This is for a program that doesn't have formal group interviews and you must have a faculty to "sponsor" your application.  I'm actually really excited to work with him, the school is located only 5 hours away from where I'm from, and the coursework requirement is minimal.  As far as the other programs go, I'd actually be surprised if given an interview; I'm hoping for 1, maybe 2.  Other professors at those programs say I'm a pretty strong applicant, although I'm well aware of how fickle the admission process is, and my apps have some "holes" in it.  For instance, I have a abysmal undergrad g.p.a. I've addressed this in an additional letter I wrote that each program allowed my to make it a part of my application.  Basically, I just said I wasn't motivated, had to work 30hrs a week in a restaurant and did not see the light until a had graduated and started working in research.  I was a research assistant for 4 years at two premier institutions in Boston, worked hard, and got a publication out of my second position.  Then, I joined a newly formed master's program at my undergraduate university, did really well, got a publication out of that and ended with a 3.2 g.p.a, not stellar, but decent.  I ended up discovery two new species of single celled green algae using phylogenetics and electron microscopy.  We are still in the process of writing the paper because my advisor decided to collaborate with a group in Czechoslovakia with those two species and they are taking forever to analyze them. Then, I applied to doctorate programs in winter of 2010, got two interviews and accepted one out West.  In short, I did well there too, but had to quit the program because my advisor ran out of money and the department couldn't offer a TA.  I got a paper out of that as well, but I also made a C in a course (3 other classes were A's).  I've specifically addressed why I made that C.  So now, I'm here, waiting on news.  I'm living back home with my parents and I'm teaching Intro Bio as a part-time adjunct at a local community college and I actually like it.  It's super easy.  My supervisor told me that there is a fulltime position open and encouraged me to apply for it.  My passion is research; I love everything about it and it's been mainly what I have done for the past 11 years.  But, do I want to go through another graduate program that will take me at least 4 years if I'm lucky, only to take a position as a post-doc where I will be stuck in a low-paying position for another 4 years.  Maybe I could bypass the post-doc, and get a job as a research scientists making better money and doing what I love.  OR, I could skip the doc program altogether, work as a faculty teaching community college with my master's, start out making a lot more money starting in August this year, and save a ton of money since I'm living with my parents.  Again, my love is research, and I have very specific interests that I'm eager to pursue.  But, I can shift my passion to teaching, it will be a lot easier, and I could start saving more money sooner.  I dunno, just venting, I just feel jaded to this application process in general.  Have a good day!