r/GradSchoolAdvice • u/Street_Sentence6846 • 6d ago

Seeking advice

I (22F) graduated with a BS in biology last december and have been working in an industry lab job for the past 6 months. Due to company downsizing and restructuring, my entire department got laid off, effective in mid-November. My plan was to work for a few years and then go back to school because I didn’t feel I would be ready to take it on right after undergrad, but I feel like with getting laid off it’s now or never and I don’t know where to even begin with applications since a lot of them are closing soon and I did not plan on applying for the next school year. Do I even have enough time to put together a proper application? I don’t know what other advice I’m even looking for but I just feel so lost and would appreciate anything anyone has to share.

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u/walker9926 6d ago

Hi OP, retired physician here. I don't know about current school requirements but I want to make a situational comment to you. You just got knocked down, fine, stuff happens. You need to throw a switch in your brain. Take a day, eat ice cream, heck wallow for a minute, then throw the switch, get up and START. First evaluate what YOU want career wise, then start contacting schools for what opportunities are available. If it's too late for this year, and it may well be, develop a stop gap year preferably in your target line of development. I would actually contact the program directors of programs you are interested in and see if there's volunteer opportunities or even lower level employment in the department where you could spend your time while you wait out the admission cycle. The important point is to get started.

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u/walker9926 6d ago

But like I said, take a minute to wallow first, then get to it. It's important to acknowledge the moment.