I’m a current junior minoring in chemistry and considering graduate studies in chemistry or biochemistry. I’ve heard that involvement with research is a huge factor in admissions, and was wondering whether the source of that research matters. From what I’ve read it seems to be assumed that the students does research with a professor at their college, and that ~2 years of consistent research is ideal. I’m a varsity athlete, so it is not possible for me to do research on campus, but I have worked in a research lab in high school and will be involved in biotech/pharma research this winter and summer while I’m not taking classes. Would this be sufficient or is it likely a deal breaker for top programs? I’m looking at a ~3.7 GPA and some solid recs.
Research is research. If you don’t have the possibility of working on it during the academic year, your solutions will be fine. Make sure that whomever you work with is willing to write you a letter of recommendation.