Hi,
   I was wondering if anyone had any info on graduate degree in biochemistry. I am mostly interested in finding a good college with good biochem grad. program and that which is not so competitive. I am an average...maybe sligtly over average (just so that I keep my aim high).
   If anyone can give any sort of info on colleges, it would be awesome !!

Thanks ,
RG

rg, let me know to if you could find something good on this subject. i am also looking on this field.

Guys,

Look at the schools in the midwest. For instance, North Dakota State University, Montana State University, University of Nebraska. These schools are less competitive plus u get good stipend ( Assistanship) and living expenses are really low in these areas.

 

never go to the dakotas, montana, etc. it'll be like getting a degree from govt campus in nepal - worth some but not a lot

try far west and pacific: univ of utah, brigham young, some oregon schools; univ of washington, etc.

Bhikhaari,

Do not under-estimate the Dakotas or Montana. For instance, a recent Nepali graduate of South Dakota State University landed a job at NASA as a Scientist. And, talking abt my personal experience, a friend of mine did his Chemistry internship at South Dakota State University and that internship experience landed him a job at Harvard University as a Research Assistant. You go figure out! The only problem abt the midwest part is, its freezing COLD.

Chiyapasalekaancha is right. Try applying to midwest where the living cost is less as compared to eastern or western coasts. Try in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa too. I am in Michigan and in Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I get enough stipend to sustain my family. Good thing is that you have to TA just one semester. Except Minnesota others are not that cold as Dakotas and Montana. Before applying you can check the funding situation with the professors. You can check "http://crisp.cit.nih.gov " for finding our which professor has how many NIH funds. Good luck.

 

Sparty

yes, i agree with you both. there can be exceptions. however, i was implying to the average trend of that region. sorry if i offended anyone.

Thank you guys so much. These information has really helped me.

Another question that is bothering me is: What really counts for the admisssion in a graduate program, is it just GPA or extra activities and experiences during undergraduate such as being a RA, TA, presidents of organizations, summer research, etc? What counts in your resume?

What has personally helped you get into the program? This goes out specially to Chiyapasalekaancha and Sparty. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

RG, I think that everything that you have mentioned might have some impact on your application. However, I want to point out a few points that I came to know from my adviser and one of the friends (I don't know in other univs but in my univ some programs have some graduate students on their admission committee). If you are an international applicant (international means that you are applying from outside US. If you apply from within the US, you are considered as a domestic applicant) then they really don't care about your recommendation letter, but they focus on your GPA, GRE score and most importantly your Statement of Purpose. Yes of course if you have research experience then that would be great. Other things that you have mentioned (experiences during undergraduate such as being a RA, TA, presidents of organizations) will obviously support your application, but if you don't have then it doesn't matter. However, if you are a domestic applicant then they emphasize on the recommendation letters, in fact, in this year's selection one undergrad from our university got rejected simply because the professor under whom she did research did not recommend well. But if you have a good recommendation then that will compensate lower GRE scores. And in some cases if you have research experience then you might have a good chance of being admitted, because universities also want diversities. When I came here and compared my scores with the Indians and Chinese, they were way lower than their, but I realized that because I was a Nepali I got chance otherwise had I been an Indian or Chinese, my application wouldn't have been accepted. Indians and Chinese have GRE scores 1450 to 1500 and TOEFL 290+ (in CBT). That is my experience. Other guys might have different experience. Hope this helps. If you decide to apply in Michigan, then let me know.

Sparty

Don't worry if the university website says the requirment is a high GRE score. It happened to me. They had mentioned 80th percentile for all sections Verbal, Math and the essay. It is very difficult for a Nepali can score 80th percentile in Verbal. I wrote to the admission director regarding 80th percentile in verbal, then he said not to worry and now I'm here in the same university with low score in Verbal.

Sparty

Sparty, is very true about his comments. I was told that for international ( domestic students), letter of recommendations counts more than your GPA or GRE. Make sure you guys have a good professor( may be your Major Advisor) who can write you a really good recommendation letter. Remaining stuffs, follow Sparty's comments. His suggestions are really appreciated and all the best for the grad school for you guys. We Nepalese for sure are equally competitive compared to Chinese, Indians or Americans. Give your best shot and prove them that you are the BEST:)

Thank you guys. These infos are very helpful. I really appreciate it!

More suggestions, tips and ideas are more than welcome. More the better :)

Thanks,

RG

guys i was trying to know the scope differences in microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology.

google it up dummy

Google is NOT everything you DUMMY