<p>Quick Bio: I grew up in a harsh environment while a teenager and had to fend for myself since I was 17. I have worked full-time in the IT field since graduating high school (a vocational school). I started off at a community college, then transferred to a 3rd-tier university and eventually graduated at 30 with an undergraduate in CS specializing in bioinformatics (essentially a CS degree plus lots of science classes like biology, o-chem, physics, a&p, and biochem). I graduated with a 3.79 GPA (combined CC and uni) and didn’t do research due to the time constraints of my job combined with my full-time school schedule. </p>
<p>I no longer find the IT field challenging and feel drawn toward the sciences. If accepted into a good graduate program I plan to quit a very comfortable-paying job and live on a student budget. I plan to take the GRE soon and start applying into graduate programs - specifically in some discipline of chemistry. </p>
<p>I have never truly felt like I was worthy of attending a well-known university, but I’m trying to challenge my beliefs to test whether I’m really just holding myself back. This leads me to my question:</p>
<p>Assume for the moment that I score extremely well on the GRE. Given my background, which universities should I realistically apply to? Who would have me and who would be a waste of time and money to apply to?</p>
<p>Thank you for your help.</p>
<p>I’m not qualified to comment chemistry programs, but I’m afraid you might be a bit late for this application cycle. Unless your proposed programs have deadlines in late-ish January, registering to take the GRE now may be too late. In addition, you would have to plan from whom to get recommendations, which can also take time. Writing a good statement of purpose will also take some time.</p>
<p>Still, here are some quick tips which you may or may not know already (I assume you are thinking about a PhD, and only because it’s the only way I’m able to tell anything of use):</p>
<p>-Do not aim specifically for a well-known university, aim for a university that provides a program that is a good match for your interests and that has faculty doing research in area you find interesting. The people who care about general university prestige are people whose opinions you might not value much. People in your field will know where the good programs and good professors are.</p>
<p>-Not knowing much about the US system (particularly, how is CC viewed), your GPA seems fine. In fact, you seem to be moving forward, which is a positive thing in admissions.</p>
<p>-GRE is more a prerequisite than a ticket in. What really matters is what kind of recommendations you get, especially if you are from a lesser-known undergraduate program. </p>
<p>-Research experience is viewed so highly because many people find out in grad school that they do not like research after all, and previous experience helps to prevent that. Without any concern about the admissions, you should think very hard if you really want/need a PhD, and are prepared to do full-time research for 3+ years.</p>