Considering PhD in Analytical Chemistry

[enstian]

I do have some positive and negative marks in my favor.

 

I went to a large, public undergrad that is within the top 150 schools. 

 

Bachelors - Biochemistry Cum Laude - 3.59 overall 

 

GRE - 730 Quant, 670 Verbal (took the old one in 2011)

 

1.5 years Research experience - undergrad in organic and physical chem.

 

2.5 years - Worked at a government Agency as a Research Chemist in a fellowship. Running studies, doing UPLC-MS/MS, data analysis, revising CLIA SOPs

 

No Publications. Presented my work at a mid-level conference - poster

 

I am currently in an Masters in Anesthesiology program and I'm not thinking medicine is the field for me. I miss research everyday I'm in the OR helping patients, and I feel that I'm missing out on doing what I love. And then there will be grad school to grind down that love . The program is also expensive. I do have a job offer at a Chem startup if I leave, which may further help my resume.

 

I am currently in good academic standing with this program - in the second quarter now, but it does not have the same good grades as my undergrad grades.

 

My ultimate goal would to become a clinical chemist - first I need the PhD, and then I need to get the fellowship.

 

Considering programs at - 

 

Georgia Tech, University of Arizona, Wisconsin-Madison, UAB, Vanderbilt, University of Arizona, University of Utah, University of Washington, University of Michigan, Purdue, UGA, UF, Cleveland State

 

Do you think I have a good chance at these schools? How bad do you think leaving a professional program look towards admissions officers?

 

I will most likely have a good LOR from my governmental lab, as well as my undergrad lab and one or two of my old professors.

Edited October 17, 2014 by enstian

[Whisky-with-a-Y]

Obviously you will only get opinions from this website so I will give you mine. I think its a great idea, maybe I am a little biased because analytical chemistry is my passion, but I agree with all your reasons. I think you resume is interesting and unique and will not hurt you. I would spend sometime discussing the reasons for changing your path and why analytical chemsitry is for you. You did 2.5 years with UPLC-MS/MS, that is great. I would say go for it, why spend time pursuing something you arent truly passionate about. The schools you listed seem the be about every decent analytical school out there (unfourtunatly there arent too many, not sure how Cleveland State fits in there). I would apply to the schools that have research that interests you. Vanderbilts research differs greatyl from Arizona for example, so I would narrow those choices down a bit. I dont think you need to apply to that many schools. I cant make an honest assessement about an admissions officer opinion on your situation, but I wouldnt worry too muc. Grad School isnt some ridiciculous oppurtunity that only a few get. You metnioned publications, and how you have none. I think pubs are a great "extra" for an app, but I dont think it will prevent you from getting in a university. There are a ton of students without publications that get into great colleges, situation dictates.

[enstian]

I agree, analytical chemistry is so awesome! (from the outside at the moment, I know it'll be so much hell from the inside). 

 

I included Cleveland State because they have a pretty good track record on matching PhD students to clinical chemistry fellowships (3 within the last 10 years). They are also the only AACC approved Bioanalytical and Clinical Chemistry PhD program, research would include work with the Cleveland Clinic, which also has a CC fellowship program (its pretty competitive - 1-2 spots for 30-100+ applicants per year). I am not considering it as choice number one, I'm sure that how well I do on my research will be the most important part (besides it being in analytical and/or clinical-based). I am also looking at some of the bettter medical school's path/analytical programs. 

 

I also have not run my own projects yet, I've been more guided, so school will definitely be a learning experience in that way too.

 

Thank you for the confidence! 

 

I think my gpa from my first semester was a 2.75, it was pretty rigorous, most students passed around with high Cs in a majority of classes. I think that might be one of the reasons medical schools do pass/fail.