Concerns of Graduate School

WilliamC
Sat, 11 Aug 2007 16:35:54 +0000

First read “Grad School Admissions 101” pinned to the top of this section.

You will almost certainly have to take the GRE General, and possibly the Chemistry subject test. Check the admissions websites of the programs you’re interested in.

Given the opportunity, ETS will screw up somehow so you want to take the tests in plenty of time to 1) Let ETS score them, 2) re-take if you choke, 3) when you start sending in applications, have time to follow up when ETS mis-directs one or more sets of scores. IMHO, the best time will be just after your 3rd year - mid-summer at the latest.

Relevant job experience is always helpful, but research is the “sine qua non” of science/engineering admissions. The other key factors will be your LORs and SOP.

For specific programs, start talking to your professors. They will know your abilities, the type of work being done at other programs, and where you will likely “fit”.

Finally, since you are new, there are a 2 people here you should ALWAYS listen to: MollieBatMIT, and Professor X.