<p>Prior thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/770120-do-i-have-any-chance-all.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/770120-do-i-have-any-chance-all.html</a></p>
<p>My score:</p>
<p>770 math
560 verbal
1330 overall.</p>
<p>For those that don't wanna read the thread, I'm hoping to apply to a Ph.D program in chemistry (nothing premier, something average I guess), my undergrad gpa was 3.06 overall, 3.118 major.</p>
<p>Your quantitative score is strong and your verbal scores are average.</p>
<p>Your GPA is not impressive to say the least. </p>
<p>You didn’t mention your research experience – the most important factor. </p>
<p>Frankly, I don’t know how chem departments look at applications but I hope you have A LOT of research experience.</p>
<p>At this stage, you should be drafting your SOP and contacting professors for LORs. You should know where you are going to apply at this point.</p>
<p>I don’t have research experience. On the other hand however, I do have full time industry work experience instead.</p>
<p>That may not be enough to compensate meaningful research experience.</p>
<p>How are your LoR?</p>
<p>Haven’t asked for my LORs yet…but I’m going to ask like this I think:
current boss who 110% loves my work
teacher who I had (A-) and worked as a TA under
head of undergrad who oversaw me as I attempted and passed a special exam which he’d never seen anyone pass in the 30 years he’s been there. (credit-by-exam to pass out of organic chem 1)</p>
<p>wow your situation was similar to me when I applying the first time</p>
<p>I disagree with Oyama on working experience to compensate meaningful research exp. In the academia world they know well the difference between a student taking an internship/co-op to make some cash versus working in lab to gain research experience and prepare for grad school. I had one year of full time co-op experience when I applied the first time, and that was working in the R&D department at GE—didn’t help at all.</p>
<p>they gonna question your GPA and GRE score first, I don’t mean to be rude but 3.0+ is too low for a good program. If you have 3.8+ GPA then sure, working experience is nice to have, but GPA is the #1. Make sure you make a realistic school list.</p>
<p>Mr. Zoo, thanks for the experienced answer.</p>
<p>My school list as of now (trying to not go hundreds of miles from home, I live west of NY city):
Delaware (where I went for UG)
Maryland
SUNY Stony Brook
Stevens</p>
<p>How about my chances there?</p>
<p>Scores don’t get you in. They make you, more or less, eligible. These scores make you eligible for admission into a Ph.D program in chemistry, but the rest of your application matters far more. Your GPA is not strong (especially in your major) and you don’t have any research experience.</p>
<p>For a Ph.D program, unless you conduct related research at your current job your current boss probably isn’t a an appropriate recommendation. And you only have one professor on your list who has experience with you as a student. You need at least two professors who have taught you before.</p>
<p>Also, Mr. Zoo, OP gave no indication that his industry work was research-related. If it were, then he wouldn’t say he has no research experience. OP, is your current work research-related? Are you doing chemical research there?</p>
<p>@ web: as long as they are not top 30 programs you have a shot</p>
<p>@ julliet: do you mean PhD admission without funding? then yes it would be much easier</p>