<p>I will be a senior undergrad in the fall and have been looking into genetics Ph.D. programs over the past month. I have a 3.8 GPA and a decent personal statement. However, I don't have any "true" research experience. I have conducted two small research projects and written formal research papers for these (one for ecology and another for physiology). This summer I am working at a cytogenetics and molecular pathology lab. It is mainly a clinical lab, but also has a small research staff. I am more involved in the clinical aspect, but I also help with small projects that the staff does. </p>
<p>Basically, I am asking if my research experience would seriously hinder me from having a chance at being accepted into a genetics Ph.D. program.</p>
<p>how do i post a question on this website?</p>
<p>Any help would be great.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>In PhD admissions, the committee will be looking to assess your research potential based on your experience and the rec letters that are written on your behalf. As far as your current experience, it might be slightly less than your average competitor, but if you can write a compelling statement that describes the research you have done and what you want to do I think it might work out for you. Are your “formal research papers” published, or will you have any opportunities to publish anything else (as a co-author)? Publications make a big difference in the strength of your application. </p>
<p>My bigger concern would be with rec letters. The letters are extremely important to admissions, and it helps a lot to have someone well known in your field who can write a letter on your behalf. If your advisor/supervisor at your clinical lab is a PhD level scientist who can speak to your research potential, you might OK getting a letter from that person. It would be better if you could get such a letter from a professor at a research university. If you can’t get letters like that now you might be better off taking a year or two to work in a lab after you graduate to build some experience.</p>
<p>My papers weren’t published and it is highly unlikely that I will be published in the next year. My supervisor at work has already told me that she would write a letter for me and two professors at my university whom I’ve had for classes (both of which do genetic research) will write letters as well.</p>
<p>I think your chances are pretty good. Do you already have particular programs in mind? It may be a bit harder to get into the top programs with no publications, but you have a great GPA and it sounds like your letters will be good.</p>
<p>I have a list of about 30 programs which I am going to email to request further information. By the end of the summer I hope to narrow it down to 10-15 and then select half of those to apply to.</p>
<p>one of the benefits of taking a year off and working in a lab is the time it takes to interview. My son was flying aross country every weekend for 6 weeks, sometimes with 2 interviews back-to-back. 3x he got caught in snowstorms, had to find hotels near airport, take earliest train when snow cleared, rebook, etc. </p>
<p>His roommate also worked for a year. Once accepted, he took month vacation with his parents.</p>
<p>Anyway, it can be a nice break from school to have a lab job without all the pressures.</p>