<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I've been reading the CC forums since high school and giving advice whenever I could relate to the poster's problem (from a different CC account though). I am now a junior at college and I'm really struggling making a choice in my life and I was wondering if I could get advice.</p>
<p>I'm debating if I should apply to graduate schools this fall or if I should finish my senior year and work for a year or two and then apply. I'm looking at applying to immunology/pathology programs.</p>
<p>My stats:
School: UW-Madison</p>
<p>Majors: Molecular Biology, Medical Microbiology and Immunology</p>
<p>GPA: 3.33 (this is why I'm debating on applying)</p>
<p>GRE: Haven't taken yet. </p>
<p>Research experience: Will have 3 years experience in a lab working with my mentor on a project. If I collect good data right now, my PI tells me he would like to try to get our work published. I am looking to join another lab for writing a seniors honor thesis.</p>
<p>Misc: Will graduate with honors degree in liberal arts and honors in my Medical Microbiology and Immunology major.</p>
<p>Through out college, I have consistently taken the maximum credit load with honors classes and advanced undergrad. or grad. classes when the option was available. I feel my transcript show a genuine interest in science and shows that I really pushed myself in college. My GPA, however, is quite low, and took a tumble because I have more B's than A's. In the eyes of a grad school admissions committee, I know my GPA will most likely suggest that I am not yet ready for grad. school. </p>
<p>Would I be better off working as a research associate after college and then apply, or should I just try to apply now, and then re-apply if I don't get accepted? I recently had a post about the NIH postbac program, and I am considering applying to that as well. </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Your stats are pretty good - I don’t think a 3.3 GPA will hold you back. Is that your overall GPA or your Science GPA? Also, what is your GPA for the last two years? </p>
<p>Your research experience is great and I’m sure your PI would write you a solid letter of recommendation. If you are thinking about a research degree, this is most important.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you take your GRE and go from there. I worked for a year after undergrad; however, I don’t think it helped or hindered me.</p>
<p>You need to ask yourself whether you want to go on for graduate school to begin with…</p>
<p>Graduate school is an entirely different beast than an undergraduate program is, and most people don’t realize that until it is way too late to undo their decisions.</p>
<p>What are your options besides getting a graduate degree?</p>
<p>mantidguy - My GPA has been about the same every semester around a 3.2-3.4. My highest has been a 3.7 or so and this semester, my second semester junior year, I think it will be around a 3.7. My science GPA is in the same range.</p>
<p>pseudoghost - I’m absolutely sure that I do want to go to graduate school. I do know that grad. school is quite different from undergrad. I suppose I can work in the biotech industry or as an entry-level research associate for a few years, but I feel ready to further my education.</p>
<p>I think that you will be fine getting into graduate school. A lot of schools have a minimum of 3.0 GPA. However, I think it will be more difficult (but not impossible) to get into the very top programs. Would you be interested in staying at UWM? Madison is a great school, plus your PI and maybe several faculty (and committee members) know you and your strong research abilities. </p>
<p>Like I said before, take the GRE and try to score as high as possible to make up for the GPA. Also, schools require 3 letters of recommendation, so work on getting 3 solid recommendations - probably the most important part of your graduate school application!</p>
<p>Are there any negatives to re-applying the following year if I am not accepted in the programs I’m interested in?</p>
<p>If your application hasn’t improved in any way I’d say you’re mostly wasting your time.</p>