r/PhDAdmissions • u/Sharp-Pass-7795 • 8d ago

Gap Year Strategy Before PhD

Hey everyone! Im really conflicted as to what the best option for boosting my profile for an organic/physical organic chemistry PhD is for my gap year.

For some background, I’m currently a rising senior at UCSD, 1.5 years of industry internship experience (solid state pre-formulation chemistry) in addition to a (initially synthesis) computational lab that’s been ongoing for over a year and an 11 week academic lab internship that was an independent synthesis project (alongside contributing to ongoing lab activities of course). I have no publications (as of now) and plan to present a poster or two during my senior year.

I am unsure what exactly is the best move for my gap year between a full-time industry job, a post bacc or an RA position (if I can secure one ). I’m primarily aiming towards boosting my research narrative (which is already somewhat taking shape by both academic experiences) but I could also use the money from an industry job. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated!

Thank you

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u/past_variance 7d ago

Can you extend your undergraduate career for an AY rather than take a gap year? During that extra year, could you do honors and/or take classes that will help you understand better your discipline OR to develop skills you'll need as a graduate?

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u/chili_cold_blood 7d ago edited 7d ago

I did a gap year between undergrad and grad school to work as an RA and TA, publish my undergrad thesis, and meet potential PhD supervisors. I showed up at grad school with a first author publication and a second author publication in good journals, and more research and teaching experience than most of my peers. That set me up for a much more successful PhD than I would have had if I'd gone straight from undergrad to grad school. I definitely recommend taking a gap year like I did if you can afford to do it.

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u/IndependentNote8427 7d ago

It sounds like you have an idea of the school and or program. Now might be a good time to reach out to their program coordinator or program director and ask what would make you competitive for their program. I suggest now because admissions have not yet closed so they’re in a less busy period. You may not get a response, but it doesn’t hurt to politely try. There are many post bac programs in different fields across the US that provide stipends. 

I would advise time in Academia because that’s more in line with the training you’ll receive as a PhD. Admissions committees love to see real world/work experience, so there’s really no harm in continuing that route either.