Can anyone evaluate my chances???

Graduate School
1

<p>I am a pharmacology and toxicology major at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (small, private school and oldest pharmacy school in the nation). </p>

<p>I have a 3.96 gpa, 1400 on GREs (800 math, 600 verbal), worked as a pharmacy intern, teaching assistant (1 semester), and grader (2 semesters). I did one semester of in-vitro cardiovascular research in the fall, then in the spring, followed it up with an independent study (where i researched a topic of my choosing in scientific journals) that concluded with a formal seminar in front of faculty and students. I did not do research in the summers (I worked instead). I will do computational chemistry research in the fall, will do another independent study (with seminar), and will continue work as a teaching assistant for Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Course.</p>

<p>I am applying for the following grad programs:</p>

<p>UPenn - Pharmacological Sciences, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Accounting (Wharton School, Doctoral.)</p>

<p>UDel - Chemical Engineering (Biomolecular)</p>

<p>Drexel University - Pharmacology</p>

<p>Thomas Jefferson University - Molecular Pharmacology and Structural Biology</p>

<p>University of the Sciences in Philadelphia - Pharmacology/Toxicology</p>

<p>Can anyone tell me my chances for these schools? I have plenty of coursework in chemical and biological sciences. I have also completed two physics courses and but my math is only up to Calculus II. Thanks for your help!!!</p>

2

<p>Nice stats, I think you have a great shot at these schools, and maybe you should apply to a couple more "reach" schools, well, unless you are desperate to stay in Philly.</p>

3

<p>hey thanks. you think so? </p>

<p>the one thing i am worried about is that i did not stick with one research project. i hear alot about people who have published papers in undergrad or got grants/fellowships. is this important for grad school admissions, or is it also favorable to have experience with a wide range of research techniques?</p>

4

<p>"alot" of people publish in undergrad or got grants? Thats news to me, yes, some do publish, but I'd say at least 85% doesn't. Pubs will help you in grad school admissions, yet they are not required to gain admissions to the best programs. Exposure to a wide range of research techniques may help you, but I'd say just scratching the surface of something for 2 month is not as meaningful as keep going at something for an extended period of time. As a scientist, you must not only understand how to use a technique, but when to use it, which leads to the question of why to use it, and you'll develop the scientific habit of mind through persistent methodical research rather than just learning to press a button on a machine for 2 month. That's my opinion, maybe some of the senior posters like molly and others can input.</p>