What to do when one doesn't get into grad school?

[agalaapple]

Hi everyone,

 

  I haven't had much luck this application season. I applied to two PhD programs (UVA and Berkeley), but I will likely not be accepted. I got into Berkeley two years ago and enrolled there in the 2012-2013 school year, but after two semesters, I withdrew from my PhD program because I wanted to do research in a different scientific field.

 

  I am working at a biotech company now, but seeing as how I also didn't get in to any of the PhD programs I applied to last year, I can't fathom having to wait another six months before re-applying, securing letters of recommendation, etc. 

 

  The company I currently work for does not have a bright future. I understand that I took a risk by working for a startup company, but I envisioned that I would be back in graduate school again by this upcoming fall.

 

  Things do not always go as planned, but I am now at a loss for what to do. I do not see the merit in pursuing a Masters degree (unnecessary debt). I do not see the merit in staying with my current company because I hate the company's innate motivation to earn millions of dollars while putting on a facade that they care about cancer patients. I do not see the merit in re-applying to PhD programs because I apparently do not offer a strong application (people also make misinformed judgments based upon the fact that I dropped out of Berkeley). I have attempted to get in touch with other research labs of interest to me in order to see if they have any open positions, but none of them have openings. 

 

  Not everyone is cut out for a PhD. I believe that I am, but I would rather eschew the pursuit to gain admission until graduate programs do not dismiss me based upon a manufactured illusion of my lack of ability.

Edited February 17, 2014 by agalaapple

[0908]

Is there a reason you didn't apply to more than 2 schools? Both of the schools you applied to are incredibly competitive to get into. What about trying to find a different company to work for and then applying to more schools next cycle? Honestly I'm not shocked that you didn't get interviews at either school, sometimes it just depends on who is on the adcom that cycle.

[agalaapple]

Is there a reason you didn't apply to more than 2 schools? Both of the schools you applied to are incredibly competitive to get into. What about trying to find a different company to work for and then applying to more schools next cycle? Honestly I'm not shocked that you didn't get interviews at either school, sometimes it just depends on who is on the adcom that cycle.

 

Thank you so much for your response.

 

There are a few reasons that I applied to only two schools. I felt that these two schools provided excellent fits for my research interests. I am interested in UVA's and Berkeley's commitment to public higher education. Charlottesville and Berkeley are both cool places. I may have been overconfident in that I didn't think I needed to apply to more schools. Historically, it has been relatively easy for students to transfer into different departments within Berkeley. I have other reasons, but they are irrelevant at this point.

 

I suppose that I could work for a different company, but securing another position and going through the interview process would require a great exertion of effort on my part. I am also hoping to re-enter academia since I am no longer motivated to work in industry and not inspired by wealth.

Edited February 17, 2014 by agalaapple

[Fun_Cookie]

UCB cares about grad students? Don't make me laugh....

[agalaapple]

UCB cares about grad students? Don't make me laugh....

 

Yes, they do care.

[teddybong]

agalaaple,

It might be a good idea to apply for jobs in academia, like a technician in a university lab. Even though these positions don't pay much, I can see at least two benefits of working in a university lab: (1) to show your committment in the new area of interest, and (2) to network with professors and get advice on the next application cycle (and potentially another letter writer!)

 

Hope this helps!

[agalaapple]

agalaaple,

It might be a good idea to apply for jobs in academia, like a technician in a university lab. Even though these positions don't pay much, I can see at least two benefits of working in a university lab: (1) to show your committment in the new area of interest, and (2) to network with professors and get advice on the next application cycle (and potentially another letter writer!)

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

Thank you so much for your response. This is my ideal plan.