Environmental Chemistry -- how likely in my situation?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I do not have much guidance on how to go about doing this, which is why I am posting in this forum.</p>

<p>When I was an undergraduate, I studied Environmental Sciences. Most of my classes had to do with Environmental Toxicology and Environmental Health. I also did not do any research. (The reason for this: my major was very broad, and it took me a while to narrow down what I had interest in.) I did help out in my professor's aquatic toxicology lab during my senior year, but I was mostly assigned to maintenance-type duties. </p>

<p>I graduated with a B.S. in 2009, and found out soon enough that the type of work I wanted to do was in the field of Environmental Chemistry. So now I am thinking of going back to get an M.S. degree.</p>

<p>My only problem: a lot of Environmental Chemistry M.S. programs require me to take prerequisite classes that I did not do in undergrad. I simply cannot afford to spend money taking extra classes right now, and I also do not have the time (my work hours are sort of crazy) to do so. What should I do??</p>

<p>I have compiled a small list of schools that have an Environmental Toxicology program with some Environmental Chemistry opportunities (lab/research work and classes) within them. However, the list is so small that I am terrified that I will not have a chance to get accepted anywhere.</p>

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<p>Also: I guess I could take the Chemistry GRE, but I might not do so well on it? My chemistry coursework: one year of general chem, one year of orgo, & one year of env. tox. & chem.</p>

3

<p>The Chemistry GRE exam will require a background in Analytical and Physical Chemistry to do well, and you have not had those courses. You might ask at the schools you are interested whether you should take the Chemistry GRE, but you will not do well without those courses.
My department ([Environmental</a> Chemistry, The Graduate School, SUNY-ESF](<a href=“http://www.esf.edu/chemistry/graduate/environmental/]Environmental”>http://www.esf.edu/chemistry/graduate/environmental/)) will take bright students lacking these courses if a professor goes to bat for the student. This is likely the case in many places. Your best bet may be to research the schools and professors whose work interests you most, and then e-mail or call them to ask if they are interested in someone with your background. If you show a clear interest in and enthusiasm for their particular research, you stand a chance.</p>