This document provides information and advice for applying to graduate school programs in chemistry. It lists top ranked graduate schools based on overall and biochemistry programs. It emphasizes choosing programs where potential advisors' research interests align with your own and having backup school choices. The timeline for the application process during senior year is outlined, including requirements like GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and statements of research experience and interests. Factors that schools consider like grades, research experience, and recommendations are highlighted. Tips for visiting accepted schools and myths about the application process are also addressed.
2. Choosing a Grad School
Rankings
Faculty Research!
Atmosphere
3. Overall Rankings
1. Caltech
1. MIT
1. University of California—Berkeley
4. Harvard
4. Stanford
6. University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign
7. Northwestern
7. Scripps Research Institute
7. University of Wisconsin—Madison
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-
schools/top-science-schools/chemistry-rankings
4. Biochemistry Rankings
1. Harvard
2. University of California—Berkeley
3. University of California—San Francisco
4. Scripps Research Institute
5. University of Wisconsin—Madison
6. MIT
7. Stanford
8. Caltech
9. Yale
10. University of California—San Diego
5. Whose research interests you?
Adviser will be most important factor of your
research experience…
Choose schools with more than one faculty
member whose research interests you.
6.
7.
8.
9. Tips
Apply to a variety of schools (don’t be afraid to
apply to a great school!)
Have back-up choices
Start gathering application materials early…
10. Any time!
Look into/begin doing undergraduate research.
Consider doing a research program during the
summer.
Read journals and learn about research from
faculty at other schools.
Start working on your list of schools to apply to
(ask faculty for help)
11. Senior Year
October
request recommendation letters/transcripts
Register for GRE/chemistry GRE
November
Take GRE (or earlier), chemistry GRE (October or
November)
Mid-December—Mar 1
Apply to schools (look at your choices’ deadlines)
Jan/Feb
Hear back from schools
Feb/March
Visit accepted schools
April 15
Deadline to accept or decline
12. Application Requirements
Personal statement
Previous research experience and/or interests
statement
GRE/Chemistry GRE
Recommendation letters
Transcript
13. What do schools look at?
Grades/Courses
Research experience
Recommendations
15. Myths
You have to know what area of chemistry you want
to study.
Grad school is expensive.
Applying to grad school is expensive.
You should visit schools before you apply.
You have to have a great score on the chemistry
GRE.
If you want a masters, you should apply to a masters
program.