Getting into Chemistry Graduate School

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello everyone,
I attend UNC Chapel Hill and am trying to get into a top 15 program for chemistry graduate school. Here are my qualities from worst to best:
3.4 GPA (average GPA for other chemistry majors is about 2.7 to 2.8)
Haven't taken the GRE yet.
Drum Captain of UNC drumline (if it matters...)
A member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars (again, if it matters)
About 100 hours worth of working in radiological sciences, oncology, and ambulatory care departments at UNC
Conducted and presented research for use of soil as chromatography resin at a UNC chemistry symposium
Currently in 4th year of working in research under extremely well published PI
Have some engineer training with Solidworks
Published in UNC magazine for research conducted
Currently conducting my own original research from my own idea --> Also in the process of getting 1st author publication for developing a new contrasting agent for radiological sciences
Currently the first chemist (in training, or with a degree) to be consulted by Otto Zhou for development of XRF</p>

<p>I know my GPA may be somewhat low for a top 15 program, but I have a TON of research experience. I have worked in multiple labs, have been a part of various symposiums, and have been a part of the publishing process. My PI, Otto Zhou, has over 50 patents to his name, so I am hoping a letter of recommendation from him would look good. </p>

<p>I want to know if my GPA is going to completely prevent me from getting into a top 15 chemistry graduate program. My science and math grades are better in the upper level courses. I have talked to the admissions boards from various universities and they have told me basically that they look much more closely at research experience and letters of recommendations than grades. Is there any advice that anyone could give me?
Thanks </p>

2

<p>Sounds like you have been doing the right things. Make sure you take the Chemistry GRE as well as the general test. Your research mentor should be able to give you a good letter of recommendation and can advise you as to which departments might be the best suited for you. Don’t get fixated on top 10 or top 20 or such. In chemistry, departments vary greatly according to the individual sub-field and you can find outstanding research advisors at other schools too. In any case, your GPA is good and if you have done better in your later years, then that counts a lot.</p>

3

<p>Thanks, xraymancs. I appreciate the input.</p>