Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

So at this point, it appears that I'm not going to be accepted into a Ph.D. program this year (0a/0w/3r/6). I know that my application was weak and that there are areas for improvement, so I'm starting to think about Plan B.

A bit of background: My end goal is to get into a Neuroscience Ph.D. program and do translational research, focusing on molecular mechanisms and immunology. I have 1 year experience at an oncology/immunology lab with a co-authored manuscript in the works. My GRE and GPA were fine, but I have a BA in Psychology. I've been taking a few post-bac classes (Biochem, Genetics, etc.) to beef up my knowledge base and show that I can handle difficult bio courses and do well in them.

Some people (my PI included) have advised me to get a MS in basic biological sciences. It's a less structured degree that I could modify by taking neuro related electives and doing the thesis/research option. However, I could also continue to work at my current lab and be certified in animal work and learn molecular work, get some publications, and reapply. Or I could apply a post-bac NIH program (no guarantee of getting in).

Opinions? I'm a bit hesitant about the MS, since I'd be shelling out a lot of money and time and there are only a couple of PIs doing neuro-related research ...

Thanks for any feedback! :)

Posted

Have you considered doing a Master's part-time? Perhaps you could ask your company if they'd be willing to help fund your studies, or apply to companies that will. 

Posted
1 hour ago, FY5913 said:

So at this point, it appears that I'm not going to be accepted into a Ph.D. program this year (0a/0w/3r/6). I know that my application was weak and that there are areas for improvement, so I'm starting to think about Plan B.

Is this PhD absolutely required for the type of work you want to do in your field? Are there other avenues to doing the sort of work you envision? What is the rate of placement/hiring for those who obtain the PhD in this field? Will the degree in biology that you are considering help you with the ultimate goal of being able to do the work, or is it just a way to beef up your application?

Posted
1 minute ago, Agrippina said:

Is this PhD absolutely required for the type of work you want to do in your field? Are there other avenues to doing the sort of work you envision? What is the rate of placement/hiring for those who obtain the PhD in this field? Will the degree in biology that you are considering help you with the ultimate goal of being able to do the work, or is it just a way to beef up your application?

It sounds like this person wants to do research (focusing on molecular mechanisms and immunology) so in this case it is necessary :/ 

Posted
3 minutes ago, Agrippina said:

Is this PhD absolutely required for the type of work you want to do in your field? Are there other avenues to doing the sort of work you envision? What is the rate of placement/hiring for those who obtain the PhD in this field? Will the degree in biology that you are considering help you with the ultimate goal of being able to do the work, or is it just a way to beef up your application?

Yes, it is. A MS wouldn't let me be a PI on studies or later go into academia ...

Posted
2 minutes ago, morpheus said:

It sounds like this person wants to do research (focusing on molecular mechanisms and immunology) so in this case it is necessary :/ 

Ah. It looked to me like they were able to do research in the oncology lab. I was wondering if more of that is possible.

Posted
12 minutes ago, morpheus said:

Have you considered doing a Master's part-time? Perhaps you could ask your company if they'd be willing to help fund your studies, or apply to companies that will. 

Do you know any companies that would fund a MS? Here, only full-time employees have their courses covered and I can only claim part-time due to a lack of funding

Posted
1 minute ago, FY5913 said:

Yes, it is. A MS wouldn't let me be a PI on studies or later go into academia ...

In that case, I would find a trusted advisor who is familiar with the admissions committee decision process in your field, and ask for help creating a specific plan of action. Is there such a person you trust? I would try to have this conversation in person, if that is possible.

Posted
2 minutes ago, FY5913 said:

Do you know any companies that would fund a MS? Here, only full-time employees have their courses covered and I can only claim part-time due to a lack of funding

I know of a ton of companies that are willing to fund Master's degrees in general, but I don't know much about your field, sorry! I was offered graduate funding through GE's Global Research Center (which has a Healthcare division, btw) and have friends who have even gotten degrees funded through non-profits (e.g. the NYISO). You can always apply to jobs and be very upfront with prospective companies about your desire to continue your studies, and worst case scenario, stay where you are! 

Posted
4 minutes ago, Agrippina said:

In that case, I would find a trusted advisor who is familiar with the admissions committee decision process in your field, and ask for help creating a specific plan of action. Is there such a person you trust? I would try to have this conversation in person, if that is possible.

Thanks for the input. I've tried contacting a few PIs and some admissions advisors and they have all given me general "blah" answers, with the exception of my PI (who is pushing the MS). My concern is that I will be locked into an expensive program for the next 2 years when I may be able to improve my application through other means, such as working at labs. I'm just wondering whether that's the best course of action ...

Posted
2 minutes ago, morpheus said:

I know of a ton of companies that are willing to fund Master's degrees in general, but I don't know much about your field, sorry! I was offered graduate funding through GE's Global Research Center (which has a Healthcare division, btw) and have friends who have even gotten degrees funded through non-profits (e.g. the NYISO). You can always apply to jobs and be very upfront with prospective companies about your desire to continue your studies, and worst case scenario, stay where you are! 

Thanks! :) I will definitely look further into that. Maybe I can join a pharma and see if they'd pay lol

Posted
9 minutes ago, FY5913 said:

Thanks! :) I will definitely look further into that. Maybe I can join a pharma and see if they'd pay lol

Haha good luck! 

Posted

I also started looking into Plan B before Texas came through. One way I was coping was telling myself grad school will always be there. Sometimes I feel like we get this pressure "of now or never". I wonder if its a cultural thing. I've noticed a lot of my friends from other countries don't have this sense of urgency when it comes to time. And good luck in pharma! Hopefully that job market isn't saturated like the law job market is.

Posted
On 3/19/2016 at 10:11 AM, Need Coffee in an IV said:

I also started looking into Plan B before Texas came through. One way I was coping was telling myself grad school will always be there. Sometimes I feel like we get this pressure "of now or never". I wonder if its a cultural thing. I've noticed a lot of my friends from other countries don't have this sense of urgency when it comes to time. And good luck in pharma! Hopefully that job market isn't saturated like the law job market is.

That's true--it could be a cultural thing. I've already taken one gap year and am trying to convince myself that the another year or two will still allow me to reach my goal, although it's starting to look like I won't have a choice lol.

And thanks :)

Posted
1 minute ago, FY5913 said:

That's true--it could be a cultural thing. I've already taken one gap year and am trying to convince myself that the another year or two will still allow me to reach my goal, although it's starting to look like I won't have a choice lol.

And thanks :)

Any time! It will eventually work out, one way or another! I can't really offer much advice since I don't really know anything about your field, but I'm happy to help alittle.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use