Will Extracurriculars Alone Impact My Chances for a PhD Program at Rutgers?

In summary, the individual is studying chemistry with a physics concentration and a minor in math at Rutgers in New Jersey. They have good grades and extracurricular involvement, but no field experience and do not expect to have any before graduating. They are concerned about this potentially impacting their chances of being accepted into a PhD program and are wondering if they should drop extracurriculars to make room for research experience. The speaker clarifies that by extracurriculars, they mean things like student government and clubs. They also mention having two jobs and starting some programs.
  • #1
intrepid_nerd
16
0
I am at Rutgers in New Jersey. My grades are good, my extracurriculars are good but I have no real field experience and probably won't have anything before I graduate. Will this severely hurt my chances in being accepted into a pHD program? Is it recommended to drop other extracurriculars and force experience into my schedule?
 
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  • #2
What are you studying? By experience do you mean research experience?
 
  • #3
Flat said:
What are you studying? By experience do you mean research experience?

I'm studying chemistry (physics concentration) and a math minor. sorry I didn't make that clear - yes, I was referring to research experience.
 
  • #4
intrepid_nerd said:
I am at Rutgers in New Jersey. My grades are good, my extracurriculars are good but I have no real field experience and probably won't have anything before I graduate. Will this severely hurt my chances in being accepted into a pHD program? Is it recommended to drop other extracurriculars and force experience into my schedule?

Not severely. I can imagine by extra-curricular activities you mean things like student governments and clubs and so on and so forth? If i were a department/professor looking for grad students that are going to spend the next several years working with (for) you, I think i could give a hoot about stuff the student does that doesn't relate to their discipline.
 
  • #5
Pengwuino said:
Not severely. I can imagine by extra-curricular activities you mean things like student governments and clubs and so on and so forth?

exactly...started a couple programs, participated in sports and clubs, and have 2 jobs.
 

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