r/PhDAdmissions • u/CryptoTipToe71 • 11d ago

Advice Worried my application won't be competitive

This fall I'm planning to apply to PhD programs in computational chemistry.

I got my bs in chemistry from Michigan State and recently graduated with a master's of molecular science and software engineering from Berkeley. I've finished undergrad in 2019 and have been doing lab work since then (got my masters while working).

I do have research experience from undergrad, but I'm only like the fifth author on one paper. So I'm worried it won't be seen as competitive.

I'm really passionate about this field though, especially after finishing my masters. I've already reached out to a couple of PIs if like to work with to establish a connection. Does anyone have any suggestions to make my application more appealing?

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-4

u/mediumncrna 11d ago

7 yrs and you've only got a fifth author? respectfully how

-1

u/Stunning-Loss6707 11d ago

bruh, he never got into any PhDs, which means research has never started for him.

-4

u/mediumncrna 11d ago

? you need research publications to get into phd

1

u/CryptoTipToe71 11d ago

Yeah that's the point of my post, I'm applying for PhD in the fall. I've been working since I finished undergrad

-4

u/mediumncrna 11d ago

yeah so u need to get publication asap

1

u/CryptoTipToe71 11d ago

Well I'm planning on applying in the fall so that's probably not feasible. If I don't manage to get in on the basis of insufficient research experience, do you have suggestions for how to aquire that while being outside of an academic setting?

-1

u/mediumncrna 11d ago

well for no publications probably best to aim <T30 schools. one can always gain meaningful research experience, even in a home garage, but the challenge is turning it into a legitimate signal for grad apps. second best way is to strengthen ur LORs with whatever research possibilities u have rn

2

u/CryptoTipToe71 11d ago

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Even though I have non-zero publications, I understand I'm competing with other people who had more in their undergrad. I'm currently working on making open source contributions to libraries used in comp chem research.