<p>My son will be a junior in college next year and his goal is to get into a decent grad school for Chemistry. He currently has a 3.5 GPA and Im wondering about the strategy for next year. Should he take a lighter course load (he has a little flexibility with this he came in with some credits) and try and bring up the GPA. He would only have to take three classes each qtr (hes on the qtr system) and still be right on schedule. With only the three class schedule, he would have more time to hopefully pull up the GPA and possibly also have more time in the current lab he's in.</p>
<p>Of course, the other option would to take the normal 4 class schedule each qtr and take some extra chem. classes. Which is better bringing up the GPA or taking the extra chem classes?</p>
<p>Kleibo- what does your son want do do with his life? If he’s looking to a PhD program in chemistry, his faculty advisor will be the best source of information. For most programs, his research and “outside the class” experiences in the field will be just as important as his GPA. And he needs to have good relationships with faculty since recommendations are very important.</p>
<p>If he’s looking at Master’s programs- what kind and to do what? </p>
<p>Give us more information and we can be more helpful.</p>
<p>And as an aside- there is probably an administrator in his department who keeps statistics going back to the flood on who gets in where and with what type of profile. so that’s the obvious place to start- his university knows what it takes to get admitted to different programs so no need to invent the wheel.</p>
<p>What’s his GPA in his major? Has he been a TA/done research? Any chance of publishing? Is there a trend line on the grades?</p>
<p>He should look at the grad depts. of schools he is interested in and see what they have to say about UG preparation. Depending on that department’s emphasis, what they like to see may be quite different from other schools.</p>
<p>S1 has been talking to us about similar strategies, including whether working a couple of years would help or hurt. He has also talked to departmental advisors at his current school, who are FAR more helpful than the general academic advisor. One gave him some specific course recommendations that schools would want to see, even though he has already covered the material via other means.</p>
<p>A lot will also depend on his GRE scores. If his scores are high, his 3.5 should be fine for most grad programs, especially if his higher grades are in chemistry and related areas. He will also need a strong research component. If he chooses to take a bit of a lighter load, he should spend that time doing research if possible.</p>
<p>He had a summer internship in a lab over last summer. And when he went back to school last fall, he joined another lab which he’s been in all year averaging about 12 hours a week. Absolutely loves it. He has two grant applications in and one fellowship application in for continuing his work this summer and the fellowship goes for two years. So research is where it is at for him.</p>
<p>He wants to go for his PhD in Chemistry – possibly Biochemistry or Medicinal Chemistry. Still figuring that out. I’m not sure what his Major GPA is . I will though.</p>
<p>I believe his releationships are good with the faculty. I will ask him if he has a major advisor yet.</p>
<p>He’s pretty much doing everything right, especially given the research. GREs will be very important. </p>
<p>When your son gets to the point of looking at Ph.D. programs and has questions about specific programs, please feel free to PM me as H has his Ph.D. in chem and still has a lot of solid contacts and friends throughout academia.</p>
<p>When he starts looking at grad schools, remember that the research advisor is far more important than the school. Your son needs to have an interest in the particular area of research, and his connections will come through his advisor. Too often people choose a grad school based on reputation, then get there and then find out their own interests don’t match those of any of the faculty.</p>
<p>As a retired engineeringprof, I second Blossom’s recommendations. Faculty in a particular discipline network with other faculty across the country. Undergrad research and a personal relationship with a faculty advisor is an enormous help in grad school admissions at many universities.</p>