<p>Help, I’ve no idea which grad schools to apply to for science research (I will graduate with a BS in biochem, BA in physics and an unofficial BA in biology – I can’t have three official majors). In addition to natural sciences, I also have an interest in the social sciences (linguistics – I have extensive amateur knowledge of this field and the discussions in historical linguistics, syntax etc are all familiar to me).</p>
<p>For me, as a low-income student who in high school relied upon fee waivers to apply to schools to my heart’s discontent, the increased fees means that I can’t just send off applications like I used to.</p>
<p>I have a “safety” at ISU with some interesting research with gold nanoprobes and such high-resolution microscopy that we have to use techniques to work below the diffraction limit. Very interesting research, but boring town.</p>
<p>I also have the option of seeking labs at my undergrad school but that seems to be frowned upon as a tradition.</p>
<p>I’m a fourth year. I didn’t think this day would come for a long while. But now it’s come. Help!</p>
<p>I will graduate with about ~170-190 credits (in four years – I’ve lost track) but my GPA is kind of low – ~3.2. I’m very open to a wide variety of options – working in the private sector for a while in something innovative and interesting (food/flavor chemistry for snack companies for instance) to a postbac. I’m just a very confused student right now! Should I take a investigator-centered or school-centered approach when applying?</p>
<p>I personally did a combination of both. I applied to a few smaller and “less prestigious” programs with specific potential advisers in mind. I also applied to a number of bigger graduate programs that are strong across the board, assuming that I’d be able to find a new research interest and a compatible adviser if I went there. I personally wanted to have that flexibility, and I was advised by my professors to give some serious consideration to the perceived prestige of the department because it would matter for post-doc positions afterwards. </p>
<p>The best approach for you depends on what’s important for you.</p>
<p>First, I feel like application fees should not limit you from applying to the places you wish to apply. I think that if you are limited in where you should apply, then you should take a year off and work to save money for application fees. Applying to graduate school is an investment in your future, and the right program can shape your career for many years to come.</p>
<p>Second of all, if you’re a senior you have your entire life to get a graduate degree. You do not have to go right now. If you don’t have the money AND you aren’t really sure where you want to apply, take some time “off” and work first. Figure out your interests.</p>
<p>There are no “safety” schools in graduate admissions. Even schools that seem below your stats will reject you if you are not a good fit, and even lower-ranked graduate programs have far more applicants than slots. If you are confused, go find a job! You may discover that you don’t want or need to go to graduate school. And even if you do, it will be right there waiting for you when you are older, more mature, and have more money.</p>
<p>Personally I’d go work for a couple of years first. But to answer your question, it’s indeed a balance. On the one hand, it’s essential to find programs that are suitable to your interests. On the other hand, as I’m guessing you’re looking at doing a Ph.D, you’re also going to be living wherever you choose to go for 5-6 years. So looking at places that serve both those interests is necessary in my opinion.</p>
<p>I’m calling it a safety because I did an internship there and the PI wanted me to come back to do research there after I graduated… I don’t even know what the stats are. The lab is like 80% PRC grad students, after all.</p>
<p>The only issue is… I don’t really like Iowa. </p>
<p>I mean there’s a bit of an Asian enclave community, but I kind of like cosmopolitanism, not plural monoculturalism.</p>