<p>Here's my story. I graduated from an HBCU with a 3.1GPA (long story) in Chemistry/ Math Minor (3.8GPA Math). During undergrad, I did a good bit of research-undergrad research in Polymer Chem (2years), SROP (UMich) Chem E., Biophysics, (Clemson) Physical Chem, (LSU) Analytical Chemistry. During this time I never had the opportunity to publish-at all. </p>
<p>After graduation, I got a job in industry. I have won six research awards, and received numerous merit raises. But the problem is that I want to go into the Biomedical Sciences (Biophysics, Pharmacology) for grad school and I have no research in those areas. Many companies (including mine) have sold off their Pharmecutical businesses for more lucrative businesses (this business would be the only place I could work to get experience in these areas). </p>
<p>I didn't apply this year because I wanted to distill my last 4 years of work in industry, as well as, to not reveal any trade secrets (could get a big law suit for doing so). If I just highlight my work as an Analytical Chemist for the last 4 years, would that be a hinderance or a helper to my application? All in all, I have a total of seven years of research experience. </p>
<p>Also, how will this affect my fit with any program that I will apply to, since my research is really not aligned with anything in academia?</p>
<p>I don’t see how extensive work experience in a somewhat related field would hinder you. I am not familiar with those fields but certainly, if you have succeeded in a professional field that you studied in as an undergrad, and can link what you are doing now with your desire to do grad school in another field, that must be a plus.</p>
<p>I think industry can be a big help in admissions provided you can get a suitably glowing letter of reference from a supervising PhD (able to comment wrt academic research). There should not be any need to reveal any trade secrets, as adcoms are interested less in the details so much as your ability to perform that research.</p>
<p>Do not worry too much about the fit of your research - it always helps to be close, but few people research the same areas before and during a PhD program. They are more concerned about the qualities you bring to the table - dedication, invention, precision - and which are applicable regardless of the details of the field.</p>
<p>HELPS OUT HUGE. I didn’t go to a top 50 school, had good, but not amazing GREs, BUT had 6 years industrial experience along with 5 publications while working in industry, and subsequently gained admission to the “#1 ranked” school in the country for the field I’m going into. </p>
<p>Non-trads with industrial experience often times make much better graduate students because they tend to be more focused, have much more lab experience from working 40 hours per week in a lab, and are in grad school because they KNOW they want to be there, they simply aren’t going to grad school to hide from the real world because they don’t want to get a job and extend their college life.</p>
<p>I just applied to biomedical phd programs this year,gone on several interviews, and have so far been accepted to 2 schools. I have been working in industry since graduation and I feel like the experience will help immensely in graduate school; two of my recommenders are also industry research supervisors/mentors. However, I do have to say I have run into a negative attitude towards industry research during some interviews, like industry is an “easy” way out, so I can’t say how much that affected the final admissions decisions.</p>