<p>Hey guys...unfortunately, none of my friends are grad school bound science majors, they're all pre-meds, so I was wondering if any of you could give me some advice.</p>
<p>I'm currently a sophomore at Indiana (Go Hoosiers! sorry :] ) majoring in biology and minoring in political science. I'd like to double major in poli sci, but due to some dumb policies at IU, you can't get two B.S's. Anyways, I've currently got a 3.24 GPA overall, I've taken the intro bio classes/lab, molecular biology, organic I/II/lab, and I'm currently in a 300 level immunology course, filled mostly with juniors and seniors. I've got no lab experience, despite having sent out countless emails and knocking on doors, things are full right now. I recently was rejected from the ND summer REU program...apparently they're only taking 5 candidates and gave preference to M.D/Ph.D juniors. I am trying though, so that's got to count for something, haha.</p>
<p>I was wondering what my chances of getting into graduate school are with those stats. Granted, yes, I have not taken the GRE yet...and I would anticipate my GPA going up, as chemistry was never my thing. Like I said, I'm very much so trying to get into a lab, just most labs here are full. I'll appreciate any advice. Thanks!</p>
<p>I think there are a few important things you can do at this point…</p>
<p>In approximate order of importance:</p>
<p>1) Keep trying to get into a lab. You don’t necessarily have to do undergrad research in the precise area you want to work in in grad school; the important part is getting some research experience.
2) Take advanced bio classes and get good grades in those. Your grades in advanced bio classes are going to matter a lot more than your overall college GPA.
3) Plan to take a subject GRE exam and study hard for that exam.
4) Prepare for the general GRE and try to get a good score.</p>
<p>Best of luck! :)</p>
<p>You could probably get into A graduate school, but perhaps not one you’d want to really be in. If you want a PhD, I think your first priority should be getting research experience. Apply to many REU programs next time and keep trying to get into a lab (there might be some openings over the summer if students go home or to REUs or whatever). While you’re not doing research, definitely increase your GPA as much as possible (and study for the GREs, of course).</p>
<p>If you have really horrible luck and can’t get any research experience, you may want to stick around for another year and work as a lab tech (or go somewhere else and do this). You’d have a better shot at getting into better programs if you take a year off and do research.</p>