I graduated from college this past spring with a BS in biology and want to get a PhD eventually. I didn’t know that I really wanted to go to grad school until I started doing research during my senior year, so I didn’t apply for this school year. I currently have a job as a research assistant at a well-known university doing genetics/developmental research (evo-devo research is the area I that I’d really like to study eventually). I am thinking about applying to grad school for the 2017-18 school year, but I’m not really sure if I’m ready. I just feel like I’ll be rushing the application process now and won’t take my time. I also had a difficult senior year (mentally) and I don’t think I’ve fully recovered, so I don’t if I really need time to sort things out or I’m just procrastinating. I just feel like I’m behind everyone else who is my age (career-wise) or that others will think I’m stupid for not applying now or that I really must not want to do research (but, I really do). Do you think it’s okay to wait two years before applying to grad school?
It is perfectly ok to work for a couple more years. Your research experience, publications, and your PI’s professional network wil also be really helpful when you do apply…
It’s ok to work, but take any tests now while the material is fresh. (Learned my lesson taking chem GRE 1.5 years after BS OUCH)
Yes, it’s totally OK! I know lots of people who took 2-5 years (or more) after their BS before they started a PhD program. The extra research experience and maturity will only help you.
You need to go into grad school prepared and informed. If you need a couple of years to get to that point, take them. It is harder in some ways, but still easier and more productive than rushing in and screwing it up.
Hi. I was in a very similar situation to you. I was a biology major as an undergrad but throughout college, I never realistically thought about grad school until after my junior year. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my degree or what area of biology interested me most up until that point. Therefore, I wasn’t preparing myself for grad school which includes working really hard academically (I worked hard but not as hard as I could have) and getting the necessary research experience needed for a PhD.
So in my senior year, I decided that I would take 1-2 years off from school after I graduated to work, get more experience, and learn if graduate school was really what I wanted to do next. And honestly, this was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been working as a research fellow at an ivy league university, in a very well known lab, in the field I’m interested in (genetics/molecular biology). I work on my own project in the lab which will result in a first author publication for me. I’m also in a program that allows me to take grad classes and get adequate grad preparation (presentation skills, writing skills, reading skills, GRE prep, pre professional development, networking opportunities etc).
Its truly been a transformative experience as I’ve been trained and treated as a graduate student for two years. I’ve learned so much both in and out of the lab about what it truly means to be a scientist. I’ve also learned the harsh realites about grad school and what it takes to be successful. Getting a PhD is a very demanding task and you really need to know what you’re signing up for or it will be a very harsh wake up call. I’m currently applying to grad schools and I can assure you, they highly value the quality of your research experience as #1. My experience these past two years has set me up to get admitted to some pretty impressive schools (I’ve already been accepted to one, which happened in October), has opened many doors for me, has allowed me to meet many important people in my field, has given me high quality research experience, and the tools neccessary to be a really successful graduate student; all things I would have never had as an undergrad.
So after this long essay, I say you’re doing the right thing.