fellowships: what's out there?
I'm applying this fall for Chemistry PhD programs, and am pretty sure I can get into three of four schools. But they're all in pretty expensive areas, and it would be great if I could get a fellowship. My undergrad academic record isn't so great, though.
What worries me: I graduated from a state school with a 3.448 overall, and a little above a 3.5 major. (Ouch. NSF would laugh at me if I applied.) A lot of my hours junior & senior year were in grad-level chemistry classes, and I did well in most of them. On the plus side, I have ~4-5 years research experience in several different labs, a little more than 2 years in my chosen field, and did an REU. 2 papers out (but both around 4th author...), a few poster presentations, led the chem student group for 2 years, general GRE just shy of 1500 and 80th%ile on the subject. I'm going into organic materials, specifically electronics. I read the literature religiously, so I definitely know the field well enough to throw together a killer proposal. Things I'd rather leave out unless they gave me a definite advantage: woman in a male-dominated field, first-gen student.
Should I apply for any fellowships at all? If so, can anyone recommend fellowships (besides the NSF) that are geared toward chemistry and/or materials science? What about the NDSEG--anyone who's received it care to share stats or advice?
If all else fails, I'll just wait until after my first or second year and try again.
Thanks in advance! Good luck with applications, everyone! :)
What worries me: I graduated from a state school with a 3.448 overall, and a little above a 3.5 major. (Ouch. NSF would laugh at me if I applied.) A lot of my hours junior & senior year were in grad-level chemistry classes, and I did well in most of them. On the plus side, I have ~4-5 years research experience in several different labs, a little more than 2 years in my chosen field, and did an REU. 2 papers out (but both around 4th author...), a few poster presentations, led the chem student group for 2 years, general GRE just shy of 1500 and 80th%ile on the subject. I'm going into organic materials, specifically electronics. I read the literature religiously, so I definitely know the field well enough to throw together a killer proposal. Things I'd rather leave out unless they gave me a definite advantage: woman in a male-dominated field, first-gen student.
Should I apply for any fellowships at all? If so, can anyone recommend fellowships (besides the NSF) that are geared toward chemistry and/or materials science? What about the NDSEG--anyone who's received it care to share stats or advice?
If all else fails, I'll just wait until after my first or second year and try again.
Thanks in advance! Good luck with applications, everyone! :)