Apply for Masters or Obtain Research Associate Position?

Graduate School
1

<p>I have quite the conundrum. I recently graduated with a B.S in Biological Sciences with a measly 2.86 overall GPA. Ultimately, I'd like to purse a Ph.D in Microbiology and Immunology. I, however, understand my GPA will be immediately given a red flag and possibly tossed in the rejection pile. If possible, I'd prefer not to waste the application, transcript and w/e else fee applying to graduate programs comes with. Applying to a masters program and actually getting in is possible, but majority of these programs are unfunded. After viewing my loan repayment plan, I am in no position to take on a plethora of additional, perhaps unnecessary, loans. I'm aware a lot of those who have underperformed in a undergraduate setting become a fulltime research associate for 2-3 to increase their chances of acceptance.</p>

<p>I'm currently studying for the Biology Subject exam and plan to take the exam Oct. 2015. I'll be taking the Revised General GRE in November. Deadlines for FALL 2015 for majority of the masters programs I've looked at are either Dec. 1st or January 15th.</p>

<p>I have about 1.5 years of research experience and am currently a volunteer in the same lab. I've also wrote a grant proposal and was rewarded the grant as an undergrad.</p>

<p>Should I look for a research associate position or apply for a masters program?</p>

<p>Any feedback is welcome, no matter how harsh.</p>

<p>Thanks!!</p>

2

<p>Why don’t you look for a Masters program at a university which has the Masters as its highest degree? You may be able to get a TA and after your Masters will ahve the experience necessary to apply successfully for a Ph.D. at another university.</p>

3

<p>I’m not as familiar with biology. In my field (psychology), the two years as a research associate would be better than the MA degree, and the student in question could take a few graduate classes as a non-degree student and prove that she’s capable of achieving at the grad level.</p>

<p>In fact, that’s what I suggest. Many, many universities have educational benefits - by which I mean if you work there full-time, you can take classes for free, sometimes towards a graduate degree. Why don’t you try to find a full-time research tech position at a university in a lab? Then you could take master’s level classes for free. Even if you don’t actually do an MS (or finish one), you’ll have achieved the goal of convincing people that your undergrad performance doesn’t reflect how you would do in a grad program.</p>