PhD Not in Undergrad Major?

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm a bit inexperienced with all the graduate school stuff, but I was wondering how common it is that a person goes to graduate school for a PhD in a field that was not their undergraduate major but was related? For instance, I am an undergraduate Biology major (B.S.) at a top 25 school, but I was hoping to get a PhD in Zoology for a top tier school (like Cornell). I know that I'll need stellar stuff to get in, but is it feasible with my undergraduate major that I can even be a Zoology PhD student in grad school?</p>

<p>Thanks for the help.</p>

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<p>Was expecting something crazy like History to Neurology. </p>

<p>That’s well within range I would think. As is top 25 to Cornell. As you say, it’s all going to come down to your stats and specifically your research. If you’re class of 2015, you’ve got time to get started on some research that reflects your interests. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Haha, no, nothing that crazy. LOL. Just a small and more specialized degree in my larger field.</p>

<p>Yea, I’m class of 2015 so I have a lot of time to plan this, but I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t a crazy reach.</p>

4

<p>I think that’s what PhDs are for, no? A narrower and more specialized field of study?</p>

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<p>Wow, I didn’t realize how good a school Wake Forest is.</p>

<p>Can you please explain to me the “Demon Deacon” nickname?</p>

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<p>Biology to zoology shouldn’t be a problem; however, you’ll want to acquire research experience related to your intended field, if at all possible.</p>

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<p>Well Xavi, I think its a great school, and it is top 25 on US News, so we can’t be that bad. The Bio department is very strong, I’ve found, and I’m really loving it. </p>

<p>Anyway, hoping that you aren’t being sarcastic, we are the “Demon Deacons” because Wake was affiliated with the Baptist church until the 1980s, and back in the 1940s we defeated Duke in a football game (I think). A newspaper editor gave us the name because of our “devilish” fighting spirit, and the rest, as they say, is history :)</p>

<p>And for Mom, thanks for the suggestion. I’m trying to find an internship, or an organization to volunteer for, or even some research to allow me more zoology experience specifically.</p>

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<p>Ahh, okay. Thanks. I guess it just strikes me as being a weird name. I’ve been raised to think that we should flee from such expressions, so seeing “Demon Deacons” and “Blue Devils” have always been odd to my sensibilities.</p>

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<p>Both my son’s are going into related fields -from Econ .to Accounting and Mech. Eng . to Nuclear ENG .</p>

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<p>Xavi, it is a weird name, and I didn’t think I’d get so in to sports, but one semester has made me a Deac through and through.</p>

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<p>I love Baseball, Tennis and FC Barcelona. lol Although our showing at the Alamo Bowl was as thrilling as I’ve ever seen.</p>

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<p>Hi. Forgive me for hijacking this thread.
Can someone tell me if it is possible to study Biotechnology in graduate level when I have a Sociology undergrad degree?
If not possible, do I have to take another undergraduate course in order to study so?
Is there any other ways to do so?
Thank you.</p>