Is it possible to get into in a decent PhD program with my background?

[raul.carmo]

Hello everyone,

I am applying to dozens of chemistry graduate programs in the US right now but I wonder if my application has any chance of being accepted by a top 50 program.

My GRE scores are: V-160, Q-154, AW 3.0

TOEFL: 113/120

GPA: 3.1 general, 3.6 in chemistry

I have been involved in research since sophomore year in college and I hold a MS degree in chemistry, but my home institution is small and unfortunately I couldn't make any publications out of it, only presentations in small symposia. I can also get 3 good letters of reference from faculty members and my advisor. Another plus in my application is that I have studied one year in the US as the recipient of a scholarship (studying abroad is really rare in my country) and receive other small scholarships throughout my 'career'.

Is there anyone who have been in a similar situation and got in a decent PhD program? Do I stand a chance?

ps.: my research interest is in the field of organometallic catalysis and new synthetic methodologies

[aberrant]

Not sure why nobody is replying to your thread, OP. But if you are a international student, then I personally think that your profile is subpar for "top 20-30" programs. You may have a shot for the so-called "31-50", but I would focus more on your personal statement and emphasize what you are good at. You probably want to consider something that is outside of the "top 50" but really good at "organometallic catalysis and new synthetic methodologies" -- there can be big names in those fields who happened to not be in the "top 30" or even "top 50" programs.

[Harshal Jawale]

I had a profile similar to yours. I got accepted in Purdue's PhD program though. Although, my institute's kind of recognized in the US (Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai) which I think does matter a lot. But I would say, go for the big guns too. You might hit the bulls eye.

[ahmed.samy]

Harshal, I plan to apply to Purdue for fall 2018 and i want to ask you about my chances... my profile is as follow: 


- bachelor of Pharmacy in 2016 ( percentage 90% ) ( Gpa : 4 )

- 1 year teaching assistant in Chemistry and Biomedical science 

- english : ielts (7)

- GRE : 320 (quantitative : 164 , verbal : 156) , AW : 2.5

- national chemistry Olympiad Winner in 2010 , participated in international chemistry Olympiad in 2011

- research experience : 1) Material science project on nanoparticles used for anticancer treatment ( 8 months and still working)

                                        2) Drug design 2-month project on Discovery studio and MOE 

- many activities in college : student union scientific committee Co-head and other positions.

17 hours ago, Harshal Jawale said:

I had a profile similar to yours. I got accepted in Purdue's PhD program though. Although, my institute's kind of recognized in the US (Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai) which I think does matter a lot. But I would say, go for the big guns too. You might hit the bulls eye.

 

[raul.carmo]

On 10/9/2017 at 11:48 PM, aberrant said:

Not sure why nobody is replying to your thread, OP. But if you are a international student, then I personally think that your profile is subpar for "top 20-30" programs. You may have a shot for the so-called "31-50", but I would focus more on your personal statement and emphasize what you are good at. You probably want to consider something that is outside of the "top 50" but really good at "organometallic catalysis and new synthetic methodologies" -- there can be big names in those fields who happened to not be in the "top 30" or even "top 50" programs.

Sorry if it's dumb question, but where do you evaluate the ranking of an institution? I am used to QS Rankings, but I see a lot of people referring to the THE ranking, and there is definitely no match between them (there are top 20 programs in the QS ranking which doesn't even appear on the THE).

[raul.carmo]

I have decided which institutions to apply based on the research faculty in my field, the numbers in the right are their position according the Chemistry Global QS Rankings 2017.

New York University	151-200
The University of Iowa	401-450
Ohio State University	101-150
University of Illinois	151-200
Pittsburgh University	151-200
Georgia Institute of Technology	28
University of South Carolina	351-400
University of Pennsylvania	51-100
UC Davis	51-100
University of Southern California	151-200
Oregon State University	/
Iowa State University	201-250
University of Utah	301-350
Michigan State University	151-200
Princeton University	24

 

What do you think? Does anyone have any useful advice on these institutions and, maybe, suggest me others which have strong faculty in organometallic catalysis/organic synthesis?

[aberrant]

8 hours ago, raul.carmo said:

Sorry if it's dumb question, but where do you evaluate the ranking of an institution? I am used to QS Rankings, but I see a lot of people referring to the THE ranking, and there is definitely no match between them (there are top 20 programs in the QS ranking which doesn't even appear on the THE).

 

7 hours ago, raul.carmo said:

I have decided which institutions to apply based on the research faculty in my field, the numbers in the right are their position according the Chemistry Global QS Rankings 2017.

 

New York University	151-200
The University of Iowa	401-450
Ohio State University	101-150
University of Illinois	151-200
Pittsburgh University	151-200
Georgia Institute of Technology	28
University of South Carolina	351-400
University of Pennsylvania	51-100
UC Davis	51-100
University of Southern California	151-200
Oregon State University	/
Iowa State University	201-250
University of Utah	301-350
Michigan State University	151-200
Princeton University	24

 

What do you think? Does anyone have any useful advice on these institutions and, maybe, suggest me others which have strong faculty in organometallic catalysis/organic synthesis?

I think for most people they use US News (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools) and determine ranking(s) in their specific field/program.  PhD (http://www.phds.org) also has their own system for evaluation.

Your list seems to have a good mix (if ranking really matters to you), so I think that's a good start (especially if money isn't an issue to you).

[raul.carmo]

On 11/8/2017 at 5:58 AM, aberrant said:

 

I think for most people they use US News (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools) and determine ranking(s) in their specific field/program.  PhD (http://www.phds.org) also has their own system for evaluation.

Your list seems to have a good mix (if ranking really matters to you), so I think that's a good start (especially if money isn't an issue to you).

US News rankings are completely different from QS haha, Iowa State is ranked #200-#250 in QS and #31 in US News.

Some institutions in this list have free applications, although I will spend about $700 with the paid ones.

I am not primarily based on rankings, I just use them to have a hint on which programs I am most likely to have a successful application. Those were my programs of choice because they have active faculty members doing research in organometallic catalysis and development of synthetic methodologies.

[raul.carmo]

Just so you guys know, I have applied to 3 terminal MS programs in the US for this spring semester (I thought it would be easier to get into a Master's than a PhD program):

Villanova University, Bucknell University and Illinois State University.

I felt devastated that I was rejected by Villanova and Bucknell a few weeks ago, because they are really small programs (not even appear on rankings) and I thought I would stand a chance. Illinois State have not decided yet but I feel I am going to be rejected as well. Does that mean I won't stand a chance on a PhD program?