I still feel unprepared...

[Omar92]

Hi! I am a student from Mexico, those are my stats:

 

9.8/10, possible first of the class.

GRE: 162 verbal, 162 quant.

TOEFL: 108

Manuscript in preparation, third author.

 

I did three research internships across my country in synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, and molecular dynamics, and got a fellowship from MITACS (Canadian organization) for an internship in drug discovery research. I have received an excellence fellowship from my government during my studies. I did a semester abroad at Germany. I have taken several master courses in my home university. I have taught some undergrad courses. I participated two times in my National Chemistry Olympiad, (gold and silver medal), and participated in the 42nd International Chemistry Olympiad.

 

Well, the point here is that I dont know if this is enough for getting into a high-ranked chemistry program. I am really scared, and I want to wait for another year, because I do not want to be rejected from all my options. I love total synthesis, and I wish my paper was about a formal synthesis, or at least about methods in Org. Chem. I would be working in a lab, mastering my abilities, maybe teaching a class.

 

I am not looking for attention, but I would like if someone can say what does he think about my situation. (PS: And also recommend nice Org Chem Schools)

 

Thanks guys.

 

 

 

 

[Cookie]

If you actually have this perfect looking profile, and have done that many research projects, I believe you would know by now what "nice org chem schools" to apply for. Thats what I think.

Edited September 13, 2014 by Cookie

[Omar92]

Hey Cookie, thanks for your reply. All those projects gave no results, althogh I got a little bit of knowledge abput those topics, so I don't know if those internships would help me. Also, I would like to apply to Stanford or Berkeley as ambitious options, and maybe Irvine also. Could you suggest "safe" options (I know that nothing is written in stone...)

As today, I still think that I need to pursue a M.Sc. in order to mature properly, but I feel that everybody is goong to direct Ph.D., so the flow also drags me, and here I am, writing a SOP that I do not believe completely.

Thanks,

O.

[bsharpe269]

As today, I still think that I need to pursue a M.Sc. in order to mature properly, but I feel that everybody is goong to direct Ph.D., so the flow also drags me, and here I am, writing a SOP that I do not believe completely.

 

 

What do you mean by this? Do you not believe the SOP because you just have normal doubts about whether you are qualified or are you still unsure of your research interets? I do think that this is an important question to answer. Your interests were certainly evolve in grad school but I think that you should be able to write a genuine SOP about your interests at this point.