Graduate School

Almost every major at MC at one time or another has thought about the possibility of continuing their formal education by going to graduate school.  The information given on this page is an attempt to address some of the concerns and questions students frequently ask.

How long does graduate school take?

The average is about 2 years for a masters and about 5-6 for a PhD.  However, the PhD. time depends heavily on the sub-disciple.

Why go to graduate school?

There are many of you who want to learn more and getting an advanced degree will certainly provide that.  Others of you may want to enhance your career opportunities and an advanced degree will do that.  Advanced degrees always open doors!

What is graduate school like?

Graduate school is not like undergraduate school.  In graduate school you will be asked to explore an issue, a question, an area in which little if anything is known and you will be expected to provide some new knowledge in that area as a result of your work.  You'll have to take a few classes in your first year or two, usually 5-8, but no more.  Depending on the type of assistantship (see below) you have you may do some teaching and you will do research.  In fact, research is what it is all about.

What is a typical day in graduate school like?

Usually, a typical day is somewhat long, about 12-14 hours.  The good side of this is that you can pretty much pick the hours of the day you wish to work.  If your not a morning person noon-2am may work well for you.  Most graduate laboratories have around the clock work going on.  During a typical day you might take one class, go to a seminar, have lunch, talk with your research director, talk with fellow graduate students. talk with graduate students not in your laboratory, TA a lab, and work on your research project.  During any one semester, you will do more of some of these than others.  For example, in your first semester it will likely be course work and TAing which occupy your time where as in your 6th semester, it will likely be research, research, research and a few seminars.

What are some of the frustrations about graduate school?

In the first year the learning curve is really steep!  Remember though that you are in with a small group of very talented and bright people and they are struggling along with you.  As time goes on, progress may seem slow.  Remember that you are working on a problem no one has attempted before and things are not organized!  Be ready to make mistakes, and more mistakes, and even more mistakes...this is science in action.  Inaction means you are not doing science!

Benefits of Graduate School

In addition to the enormous educational benefits, advanced degrees offer increased increased earning power and increased job satisfaction.  For example, according to a recent ACS survey, The median annual starting salaries for bachelors degrees in chemistry is $33,600 while for masters degrees it is $48,000 and for PhD's it is $70,000.  Further, these benefits carry on throughout a chemistry career with median annual salaries of $58,000, $68,500, and $85,000, respectively.

Career satisfaction is higher at all levels when compared to non-science fields and increases almost 20% from a bachelors to a Ph.D.

Admission to Graduate School

Graduate schools are looking for students who are really excited about chemistry.  That's good because career satisfaction is strongly related to a love of what you do.

                            Prepare Early: Take that additional chemistry elective, take more math/physics/biology.

                            Undergraduate Research: Is becoming the key to successful applications.  Begin UGR early as a sophomore or junior if possible.

                            Summer Research: Is beneficial for opening doors.

Admissions decisions will depend mostly on course work, UGR, and letters of recommendation.  In some cases test scores (GRE) maybe included.  For those on the bubble, a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor.  Be sure a faculty member has read this!

There is a great demand among graduate schools for domestically educated chemistry students.  "B" 's will likely get you into many of the schools you apply to.

Apply to several graduate programs for backup and for comparison.  You will be visiting some of these!

Assistantships

                                          Teaching Assistant                                    Research Assistant                                 Fellowship

                                            Average 22K                                             Average 22K                                     Average 28K

All carry a tuition stipend/wavier.