Planning ahead + Am i being unrealistic

[justme128]

Hi!

 

I'm an internationl undergrad, currently at my 2nd out of 3 years of a B.Sc degree in biology and statistics. 

In my country you need to get a masters before you start your phd, and so there is not a lot of emphasis on research. plus our classrooms are huge so it's really hard to develop some kind of relationship with a proffesor.

I decided that despite all of that I'm going to try to get into some phd programs in the us (and England), and will love for you to tell me what you think..

 

I'm going to join a lab next semester and hopefully I'll stay there for more than one semester. In the summer i'll take my GRE, GRE subject and TOFEL (I have enough time), plus i'm applying to a summer internship in the best research institute in my country and i really hope i'll get in.

and next year during the fall semester i'm planning on joining a different lab, maybe even as a paid job.

My grades are descent, hard to compare to GPA but something like 90 out of 100.

 

So, do you guys think i'll stand a chance? I know that it's all just a theory still but if I'd have told you all this as a resume and not as a plan, what do you think? 

The plans I want to apply to are Vanderbilt IGP, UCSF BMS, UW Genome science, and some more..

 

Sorry if i wasted anybody's time, just needed to know!

 

[ilovelab]

Can you apply to these schools with your 3 year degree? That's the first thing you should find out.

[person5811]

Can you apply to these schools with your 3 year degree? That's the first thing you should find out.

Yes, he can apply with a 3 year degree as long as it's equivalent to a 4 year degree in the US (which I'm pretty sure it is). Some people finish their degrees in 3 years in the US, they just take a bunch more classes than most people. I know someone that goes to Cornell now for her PhD that did a Chem B.S. in 3 years.

Hi!

 

I'm an internationl undergrad, currently at my 2nd out of 3 years of a B.Sc degree in biology and statistics. 

In my country you need to get a masters before you start your phd, and so there is not a lot of emphasis on research. plus our classrooms are huge so it's really hard to develop some kind of relationship with a proffesor.

I decided that despite all of that I'm going to try to get into some phd programs in the us (and England), and will love for you to tell me what you think..

 

I'm going to join a lab next semester and hopefully I'll stay there for more than one semester. In the summer i'll take my GRE, GRE subject and TOFEL (I have enough time), plus i'm applying to a summer internship in the best research institute in my country and i really hope i'll get in.

and next year during the fall semester i'm planning on joining a different lab, maybe even as a paid job.

My grades are descent, hard to compare to GPA but something like 90 out of 100.

 

So, do you guys think i'll stand a chance? I know that it's all just a theory still but if I'd have told you all this as a resume and not as a plan, what do you think? 

The plans I want to apply to are Vanderbilt IGP, UCSF BMS, UW Genome science, and some more..

 

Sorry if i wasted anybody's time, just needed to know!

Um, so how are you sure you want to do a PhD if you have never done research before? I think this is a very relevant question, not everyone likes it. I'm just saying if you apply and get in you'd be making a ~5 year commitment to do exactly that and you might hate it. I'd first see how it goes in that lab you're planning on joining and then think of applying. Also, a little over 6 months of research might not be enough to get many interviews, especially in highly competitive programs, but I don't think it's completely impossible. That is if you're applying next application cycle, I didn't get if you're applying next year or 2016. If you are applying 2016 you have plenty of time to prepare for grad school. Also, if that means you get 3 research experiences even better, that gives you the 3 letters of rec. that you need (three research advisors) for your apps. Oh, and I would apply to more than 3 programs if you can afford it and really want to get into a program just to be safe.

[Vene]

On the 6 months of experience thing, I do think it can make a difference if you're coming from a large research university or a teaching university. At a research university there are far more opportunities to get into a lab. But, at a teaching university typically only the very dedicated get research experience so even if it's comparatively less than at a research university the impetus required to do such is greater so the student is more comparable to those who have been working in a lab for a few years even though they have significantly less experience. A very prestigious program may not care, but I think those a step below will pay attention.

 

At least personally, I do believe you have to consider the opportunities each student had in addition to the outcome.

[ballwera]

Take a gap year or two and work as a research tech/assistant. 

[Applemiu]

So, do you guys think i'll stand a chance? I know that it's all just a theory still but if I'd have told you all this as a resume and not as a plan, what do you think? 

The plans I want to apply to are Vanderbilt IGP, UCSF BMS, UW Genome science, and some more..

 

Yes, of course you do. In the end it all depends on how all these things you are planning to do will work out (actual GRE scores, letters etc.).

I also agree with the other posters, those are all good points. You need to find out whether a three years degree is accepted at those universities, and whether you like research.

Good luck!

[justme128]

Thank you guys for all the insights!

I'll check with the universities about the 3 years thing but I'm pretty sure it's not a problem..

I'm going to start my first lab project next week, hopefully I'll love it