How To Apply for Graduate Study in Chemistry

Thomas G. Richmond

Thomas G. Richnond is an associate professor of chemistry and recipient of a 1989 Presidential Young Investigator Award and a 1991 Sloan Research Fellowship.

IN CHEMISTRY SUMMER 1992
(Reproduced with permission.)

The decision to pursue an advanced degree in chemistry is a critical one for students completing their undergraduate work . . .

This article is written to alert undergraduates to the great opportunities presently available for students considering graduate study in the chemical sciences and to inform them of some of the steps involved in choosing a graduate program.

Opportunities for Students

The projected shortage of qualified Ph.D. scientists for both industrial and academic positions has been widely noted and suggests that employment opportunities will continue to be excellent into the 21st century. This includes opportunities in higher education, where it is estimated that several hundred faculty positions will be available annually based on attrition alone. A high demand is also projected in industry where chemists and chemical engineers make up fully one half of the total number of scientists engaged in research and development. The current recession notwithstanding, the median starting salary for a Ph.D. chemist is over $45,000 (C&EN, Oct. 21, 1991, page 30). The pool of qualified U.S. citizen applicants for Ph.D. study is declining as the number of bachelors' degrees awarded in chemistry has decreased from 9,679 in 1985 to 7,872 in 1991 (C&EN, May 18, 1992, page 30). Of the approximately one million degrees awarded annually in all fields, it is remarkable to consider that upon completing an undergraduate degree in chemistry, only 0.8% of the undergraduate population is qualified for advanced study in chemistry. Chemical research impacts on fields as diverse as materials science, biotechnology, medicine, catalysis, and the environment. In contrast to their counterparts in medical, law, and business programs, it is worth noting that Ph.D. candidates in chemistry are normally fully supported in their graduate studies through teaching or research assistantships with 12-month stipends often approaching $14,000 and full or partial tuition remission.

Selecting a Graduate Program

It is important to begin your investigation of graduate schools no later than early in the fall of your senior year. However, students in their junior year can get a taste of graduate student life in programs such as the Research Opportunities for Undergraduates sponsored at over sixty sites by the National Science Foundation each summer. Faculty advisors can provide knowledgeable advice concerning the choice of schools. Departments usually maintain files for brochures and receive posters describing graduate programs, and a number of directories are available (see the ACS Directory of Graduate Research or The ACS Chemical Sciences Graduate School Finder ). Attendance at seminars by visiting faculty members can acquaint you with a particular area of research. Most professors enjoy meeting with undergraduates in the courses of a seminar visit! Check with the speaker's host to arrange a discussion period with the visitor.

Write directly to the chemistry departments (rather than the university) of interest for detailed information on their graduate program and for application materials. A growing number of interdepartmental programs such as the Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology programs at the University of Utah also seek applications from students with undergraduate degrees in chemistry. Many departments evaluate applicants internally before a formal application to the university is necessary. Typically, official transcripts and three letters of reference are needed. Since letters of reference are often highly weighed in the admissions decision, it is important to select your references carefully and provide them with adequate time to submit a letter. If you have been involved in research as an undergraduate, a brief summary of your accomplishments is often viewed favorably. In addition, many schools require the general and chemistry sections of the Graduate Record Examinations administered by the Educational Testing Service. An early application will ensure full consideration by the schools of your choice. The current demand for high-quality graduate students often rewards the applicant with offers from several departments. In addition to fellowships offered by universities and chemistry departments, outstanding students should apply for fellowships from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and other national organizations that support scientific research. Your under graduate academic advisor can provide further information on these programs.

Evaluating Graduate Schools

Following acceptance, it is important to evaluate carefully the chemistry departments before making your final decision. This takes time, but since you will be spending 4-5 years at that university while eaming your Ph.D., it is time well spent. Like many top programs, the Utah Chemistry Department provides full or highly subsidized travel support for prospective graduate students to visit the campus, meet with faculty and students, and become familiar with the local area. Read the department's informational brochure carefully before your visit and be prepared with questions for faculty members about their research as well as more general questions about the department. Are there several faculty members who are in your area of interest? How are students supported-- through teaching or research assistantships or both? Are departmental instrumentation and research facilities adequate? Are opportunities available for interdisciplinary projects at the interfaces of traditional divisions of chemistry? What are the degree requirements? Does the department support an active seminar program? Talk with the current graduate students on your visit. Do they have direct contact with the faculty? Is the department an interactive one? Where have recent graduates found employment? Is the stipend, less any tuition and fees that are required, sufficient to cover the local cost of living? What opportunities are available for spouse employment, recreation, cultural offerings, etc.?

Making a Final Decision

After visiting several schools, you will have acquired the data necessary for making an informed decision concerning which chemistry department is right for you. Although a high stipend may appear superficially attractive, the over all quality of the education you expect to receive should be paramount in your judgment. Most programs hold offers open until at least the April 15 date set by the Council of Graduate Schools, although some require an earlier reply to qualify for additional fellowships. Be sure to notify all schools where you have been admitted of your final decision to accept or decline a position in their program.

The future holds great prospects and challenges for those with a postgraduate technological education. An advanced degree in chemistry will enable you to play a leadership role in research and development into the 21st century.