I think I’m off to a poor start to my undergraduate career.
Some context: my major is Materials Science and Nanoengineering at the University of California, San Diego. I’m on the BS/MS track for 2020, meaning I will get my BS and MS at the same time. My GPA for my first year is a 3.2, which I think is quite bad in regards to my prospects of getting into a good PhD programme. My research advisor even told me that I need a 3.5 to have any hope at all of getting into a top tier PhD programme for my area of discipline. I need to know how I can make myself as competitive as possible for top PhD programmes in materials science.
In regards to clubs and activities, I’m involved in four places. I do research in the bioengineering department, where I focus on fabricating biosensors to read genetic errors (I currently have my own project, which is set to be completed by this November, at the rate I’m progressing). I’m the lead researcher in a joint project by AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers) and NETS (Nano Engineering and Technology Society), for piezoelectric energy generation and storage (this project is my brainchild). And lastly, I am a central member of the UCSD Wushu Team, which I do for physical and mental health (it’s done wonders for both my anxiety and depression, as I’ve been needing to go to counselling less and less frequently).
I will take my first upper division classes this September, where I’ve that they are both harder to learn the course material and yet easier than lower divs to get good grades (B+ and up). I’ve gotten to know most of my professors via AIChE and NETS. I tend to stay in touch with every professor I talk to, either personally, or via email/LinkedIn.
Have I put myself in a bad situation? Am I overreacting? Where do I go from here to optimise myself for a strong PhD programme? I need all the advice I can get.
If it makes you feel better I finished my first year with a 2.87, so it could be worse. I don’t think you should stress out too much about it. I think the fact that you are being very active is good and you still have time to raise your gpa more, and likely( based off of how motivated you seem to be) above a 3.5. You were much more active and achieved much more than I was able to this past school year and I also have aspirations to get into a graduate program/professional school. I think you should maybe relax a little and enjoy the rest of your summer vacation. I’m not saying you shouldn’t be thinking about it, but maybe try not to obsess over it too much. You did what you could this past school year. All you can do is keep moving forward and strive to do even better this coming year.You can’t change what gpa you got this past school year.Aim to get a better gpa these next few years. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s not like you earned a 3.2 gpa this past school year without having any extracurriculars, while slacking off. You earned a 3.2 gpa WHILE dedicating time to four projects. Just chill out.
So, no I don’t think you have put yourself in a bad situation. I think a bad situation would be you not taking the initiative/not having a a lot of motivation and I do not think that describes you at all.
Perhaps you might be overreacting a little, but perhaps I’m not in the place to say that since I also just finished my freshmen year. And because I just finished my freshmen year I do not think I am in the place to give you any advice on how to better your chances of getting into a strong PhD program.
Anyways I hope my response made you feel somewhat better and was at least a little helpful
In terms of extracurriculars, as well as keeping good connections with professors, you are certainly on the right track.
Gradewise, that’s a whole 'nother aspect to tackle. Broadly, I would focus on your work efficiency, study habits, and balance in courseload. For more specifics among those three, you have to personally diagnose what could be the difference in that descrepency between the GPA you desire and the GPA you currently have. I would also read Cal Newports “How to be a straight A student” for some instant tools and tips you can apply for your coursework.
3.25 is not the worst start. Just learn from your mistakes, most importantly, as a mistake is only a failure if you didn’t learn from it.
Are you even sure you 100% want to pursue a PhD? Are you certain of an academic career over one in industry is the right choice? A doctorate in engineering is not fast nor easy and should not be taken lightly.
I am sure. I want to be a professor. Academia is more attractive to me than anything. I’m willing to work as hard and as long as I need to. I am quickly learning just how much I need to tune my drive and work ethic to do so.
