<p>Musicbuff: Everyone has a “weak” area - an area that they are weakest in. You are otherwise an outstanding candidate with so-so GRE scores. GRE scores are the least important part of a PhD application. Just go ahead and apply - you may as well see what happens! If you don’t get admitted and you absolutely must go to Harvard, you can always work for a year and reapply next year after studying a bit.</p>
<p>Kazemi: I’m not as familiar with this area, but I don’t think TOEFL scores are competitive in the sense that GRE scores are. In other words, they want to know that you can speak English, and they have set 80 as the threshold for that. Since you surpassed that threshold, if the rest of your application is great (and indicates that you can, indeed, speak English) then it shouldn’t ne a problem.</p>
<p>It seems like there is a difference between fellowships and assistantships. As a student, do you have control over what you can do with an assistantship, or the activity they require you to do?</p>
<p>Hello, I’m curious to know how some of the people on here (especially professors/others directly involved in graduate admissions,) would view my application to a Ph.D. program. I’m intending to pursue a Ph.D. in wild animal behavior, my undergraduate degree is very closely related to the graduate programs I am interested in. I transferred from a community college into a university that is often considered the best in the world in my field(s) of interest. For the first two years my GPA was a 3.9, for the second two years it is a 3.1 EDIT: During my junior and senior years I took 3 graduate seminar-style classes and got As in all of them. My bad grades were mostly in classes unrelated to my major, although there is one glaring bad grade within my major (everything else is pretty much As or A-s.) I also spent my second two years working as a undergraduate researcher for ~15 hours per week. I do not have any publications, but the work I did in my senior year should be publishable, it’s been put on standby because I was required to leave before everything was completed for another job and my adviser is being pressured to write his dissertation, so it will likely be published sometime later this year.</p>
<p>The reason that I left was to accept a very good position in the field. Since I’ve graduated I’ve been living and working (alone!) at a field site in a 3rd world country and doing exceptionally well at it, at least as far as I’ve heard from my superiors.</p>
<p>I have yet to take the GRE, I will be taking it as soon as possible after I return to the United States, I never had time as an undergraduate.</p>
<p>One other question: I paid my own way through undergraduate. Part of the reason my GPA is lower than it should be is because I was always devoting a lot of mindshare/stress to keeping myself funded and ultimately graduated with no loans of any sort. I’m assuming that Ph.D. programs won’t care about this, but I want to know for certain whether it is something I should bring up in my application? I don’t want to be seen as trying to weasel my way in with a sob-story about how hard it was, etc…</p>
<p>FINALLY: I have VERY clear research interests at this point. Will programs like that I can very clearly state exactly what I would like to do my research on? There is no question in my mind about whether or not I want to pursue a career in academia & research, so graduate school is definitely a very important next step for me.</p>
<p>It’s good to put in some sort of explanation, but getting A’s in graduate courses should be a plus. I wouldn’t spend too much time on it, though. Maybe a sentence or two and give evidence for your competency. Really, graduate admissions want to know if you’d be capable of reaching at least a 3.0 in graduate courses since they have a very strict requirement in that you can get kicked out if you can’t maintain a 3.0 GPA.</p>
<p>As far as research interests go, I wouldn’t go into specifics too much. It’s good to have a general idea of what you’re interested in doing, to see if there’s a match for you. It’s kind of like a double edged sword. If you have a very specific research interest and if you have to do rotations, it doesn’t do as much good to have only 1 person who will fit your interests (especially if for whatever reason they can’t take on any graduate students or there isn’t room in the lab). But you don’t want to be too broad (I just love science!) and have places be unsure if you’d fit with the research interests if the program.</p>
<p>I know some places have umbrella programs in which students aren’t required to know what they’re really interested in doing.</p>
<p>@fieldman: your question probably should have been posted in a new thread but here are my answers. When I read personal statements, I like to see those which explain how a student has specifically prepared for entering graduate school. In your case, the field work you are doing is likely very relevant and it is a good idea that you have taken a year after your undergraduate degree to get this experience. Your graduate courses are a plus in this equation.</p>
<p>I also think that if you include a brief mention of your working your way through college is a good thing to do. Not to make it a “sob story” but to let the admission committee know how committed you have been to completing your education. This tells them something about your desire and ability to take on responsibility.</p>
<p>If I read your post correctly, you are probably interested in some kind of organismal biology. My oldest son is in that field right now and he found it very important to be specific about who he was interested in working for as a Ph.D. student. In molecular biology this is far less important.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! Yes, I am interested in field biology, specifically animal behavior/behavioral ecology as well as some quantitative genetics work, but definitely field-based work. I have more specific interests, but I see no need to get much more specific. I’ll definitely keep in mind what you mentioned when I am preparing applications. The position I’m currently working is very relevant to my fields of interest, and it involves pretty high-level work including the collection and management of some of the project’s long-term data as well as data collection for many other shorter-term projects. Also lots of logistical work in the country (purchasing supplies/equipment, dealing with bureaucrats, etc…)</p>
<p>I’ll re-post this in a few weeks if I’m not satisfied with the amount of attention it receives here, I’m not in a hurry for replies since the internet in the country is worse than awful and I can only check here once in a while anyways!</p>
<p>I’m currently a junior at UT Austin in the College of Communication. I have a 3.1 gpa overall.</p>
<p>Basically, I transferred in as a sophomore and managed to do quite well semester, but completely ruined my second semester which dropped my gpa down to a 3.0. I ended doing poorly this semester as well but I did manage to bring my gpa up to a 3.1 because of getting an A- in a 6 hour language class. I did not realize the importance of junior year until now. </p>
<p>It is extremely important to go to Graduate School for my major and after reading graduate school admission policies online, the minimum gpa required is a 3.0 but most people apply with the 3.5-3.7 range with high GRE scores, great rec letters… I know I have next year (15 credit hours) and summer school (12 credit hours, might petition for 15) and haven’t taken the GRE yet. I do also have senior year first semester but I’m not sure if the grades will be seen by the admisisons people because some apps are due in december. I was thinking of applying to schools with apps due in feburary/march because I can send in applications after winter break not only so I can show them my most recent grades by then, but also because I applied into my major late and haven’t taken alot of classes related to my major, especially Upper division classes. Basically if I get a 4.0 during next semster + 12 hours in the summer I can pull my GPA up to a 3.43</p>
<p>As for extracurriculars, I have done 60 hours of service this year and am in two clubs. Just in case you were wondering. I honestly though the reputation of UT would look good on my transcripts, but it scares me that is doesnt mean much. </p>
<p>Basically what I’m asking is, do I still have a chance to get into graduate school? I’m not applying to any Ivy leagues, but I do want to stay in the state of Texas. It really scares me that I wont get into grad school because without a Masters I wont be able to get a job.</p>
<p>First of all, it’s not universally true that you won’t be able to get a job without a master’s. The vast majority of people don’t have a graduate degree, yet most Americans over the age of 25 are employed. Second of all, you don’t have to get an MA directly after undergrad. You can graduate first and apply when you’re a year or two out.</p>
<p>But in professional fields like communications, your experiences matter almost as much as your grades. A 3.4 is more than enough. Even a 3.1 will be fine if you can prove your worth in other ways - internships, work experience, leadership in communication-related orgs, etc. Non-degree related extracurriculars (volunteering, being in clubs) don’t matter on the graduate level.</p>
<p>Hi Everyone, My son is graduating in December of 2013, so is beginning to decide where to apply for graduate school. He is taking the GRE’s in March.</p>
<p>He is looking for a BME Ph.D. program, specifically in the area of stem cell research. </p>
<p>I wanted to get some opinions on his tentative list and if he has a shot at these schools. We are a little gun shy as he had top stats in HS and was shut out of all of the top schools (Ivys etc…) he applied to..</p>
<p>GPA 3.97
Major Bioengineering
Attending a medium sized top 40 Private research univeristy specializing in engineering
Lots of awards including a statewide Life Sciences scholarship and has been told he will be a Goldwater nominee from his University.
Lots of Leadership, including tutoring, tour guide, junior fellow, officer of two academic societies on campus
Tau Beta Pi and Phi Eta Sigma. Hopeful to recieve Phi Beta Kappa as well.
Will have three years of research - approximately 15 hours per week of a significant nature. Working on the development of new biomaterial and detemining how fast it degrades for various uses. Won a University grant for his research.
Also participated in summer research programs on different topics and worked for a Biotech company one summer in the lab.
White male from MA</p>
<p>Big missing element - no publications. His reseach is long term and his paper is not expected to be released until next fall, after applications have gone in.</p>
<p>His list of schools:</p>
<p>JHU
Duke
MIT
Stanford
UPenn
Cornell
BU
Rice</p>
<p>Safer:</p>
<p>Clemson
Pittsburg</p>
<p>Does he have a realistic shot at the top list or should he pursue some more safer choices?</p>
<p>I am a junior majoring in English. I maintained a 3.9 GPA and interned in an immigration law firm for two summers. I am interested in immigration and human rights issues. In addition, I am also interested in learning about cultural and ethnic groups and their relationships to/ experiences in the United States. I always thought the legal field was the ideal career for me, however, I realized that I prefer learning about the issues I mentioned above through literature. In fact, rather than reading human rights reports, I enjoy reading and analyzing ethnic literature. Thus, I am starting to consider English grad programs (with an emphasis on American and multi-ethnic literature) or American Studies grad programs. If possible, I would like your opinon on what I careers I should pursue that fits both my interests and my type A personality. </p>
<p>Based on what you describe, I think he has a very good chance at all the schools you listed. I’m a graduate student at Caltech and very few first-year graduate students have research publications although we all did a fair amount of research in undergrad so I really don’t think it’s an issue. </p>
<p>IMHO, one of the most important parts of applying to graduate school is having a good relationship with your advisor. He/she will tend to know other important people in the field and can accurately assess your ‘chances’ of being admitted to schools.</p>
<p>Hi, I have a question and would like to hear some opinions! :)</p>
<p>I changed my major this semester (as a sophomore) and I’m thinking of taking a minor also so there’s a huge chance of me becoming a “super senior” (staying in college for an extra year). How would the graduate admissions committee view this? like… what do they think of students who stay an extra year in college to fulfill their major requirements. :(</p>
<p>Eternaltorture: I’m currently applying to graduate schools where it took me 6+ years to graduate. Heck, I’m turning 30 in a little over a week, but I’ve had no problems getting interviews to most of the programs I’ve applied to. Worry more about your research experience and your LORs. :)</p>
<p>mumof2boyz: Your son is a robocop. But I dont get it. How did he accomplish three fraternities, a 3.97 gpa, and 3 years of research experience? Does he have any life outside the campus?</p>
<p>Thank you Fiddlerkrt - It is a releif to know that he does not HAVE to have a puiblication.</p>
<p>Gsaray, My son is not a member of any fraternities, the societies mentioned in my email are all honor societies. He is a pretty serious guy for sure, but has an active social life!</p>
<p>I have a question related to the subject of “graduate schools are not looking for well-rounded students”. </p>
<p>I’m currently a Junior in Chemical Engineering, but planning to pursue a fifth year at my undergraduate institution with a dual major in Chemistry. I want to pursue an MS/PhD program in ChemE for graduate school, but I really am passionate about Chemistry and I feel that a more defined knowledge of the subject will help when I am involved in future research (I plan to continue down the road of R&D, particularly in the industrial biotechnology industry). I am currently in a lab focused on my preferred field of study, and plan to work there until I graduate (PI is already talking about having my name published on a paper I am co-authoring on one of the projects I am working on). </p>
<p>Would it be a problem for graduate schools if I am double degreeing? Would it make me appear too “well rounded”?</p>
<p>If your second degree is a compliment to your first, then it can actually be good. I went with a minor plus a few extra classes in physics to go with my engineering degree, and all of the professors I interviewed with saw it as a positive.</p>