Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Hi,

Im currently looking for graduate programs (M.S. Molecular Biology- interested in pursuing biotechnology research)- any advice on going to U.C. Santa Cruz compared to other schools (such as UC Santa Barbara, Caly Poly, San Francisco State U, Hayward, San Jose State, ect?

Im not familiar with the reputations, as I am from out of state. San Francisco State seems to have classes that interest me but havent heard much about the school. UC Santa Cruz seems like a good fit for me. Stanford would be great but it a reach school... Id rather stay in the Bay Area but would be willing to go farther south for grad school.

By Taffy (Taffy) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 10:41 pm: Edit

UC Berkeley if you could get into it. UCs come next followed by cal poly and states i guess.

By Rtkysg (Rtkysg) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 11:30 pm: Edit

I'm so surprised that you missed Berkeley, well but it's also a reach

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 11:47 pm: Edit

UC San Diego would be my suggestion for biotech after UCB.

By Annil (Annil) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 02:24 am: Edit

I should also mention that my undergrad gpa was a 3.4. Are there certain schools that I could most likely rule out> (havent taken the gre yet btw)

Berkeley is a Phd program rather then Masters, otherwise I would apply.

By Coureur (Coureur) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 10:37 am: Edit

Annil -

Take it from someone who has worked in the biotech business since the 70s, if what you want is a career in Research, then you want to earn a Ph.D., not a Masters. In R&D at most companies, without a PhD the most you can ever be is some PhD's assistant. If you are really exceptional you might be allowed to lead your own little group one day, but you will be forever apologizing and repeatedly proving your worth for not having a PhD. And if you leave and go to another company you start over again proving yourself because you lack the PhD credential.

A Masters doesn't get you that much - a slightly higher starting salary maybe. But 5 years on there is little or no difference between scientists with Masters and those with only Bachelors. The big gulf is between those with Masters and those with PhDs. That's why I went back to school after my first six years in the business and earned my PhD.

Now these comments apply only to a career in Research. If you want to branch out into say Marketing or QC or Manufacturing, a Masters will do just fine.

By Annil (Annil) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 03:30 pm: Edit

Thanks so much for your advice; My thoughts are-
Get a Masters THEN get a PhD. I feel that I would most likely need more lab experience before getting a PhD..

Masters programs that also offer a PhD (such as UC Santa Cruz) are good, b/c I would be able to transfer into the PhD program when I feel that Im ready...

Right now I do not have enough experience to get into UCSF.


So in other words - A Masters is useless without a PhD... but for me it would be preperation for a good PhD program.

Also, how poorly are degrees looked upon from state schools such as San Francisco state or hayward..

Any advice is greatly appreciated

By Coureur (Coureur) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 07:57 pm: Edit

If you need the Masters to improve your academic record in the hope of getting into a PhD program, then go for it. That's not a bad approach at all. I wouldn't worry that much about lab experience per se, unless you have been told by the specific department you are interested in that significant lab experience is required. Most beginning PhD students have little or no lab experience.

In general, my advice is to go directly for the degree you want. If you want a PhD, don't waste time on a Masters unless you have to. Get directly into a PhD program if you can.

Masters degrees from Cal States are not looked on "poorly" so much as Masters from UCs are looked on better. Go to a UC if you can.

In general, in biotech you never know quite what to make of a Masters degree. Some require research and a fairly rigorous thesis, but in others you can get by with just an examination. Also some Masters degrees are given as sort of consolation prizes to PhD students who flunk their oral exams or otherwise wash out of PhD programs. So if you stop at a Masters some people will be wondering: Did he go for a Masters or did he fail at his PhD?

By Annil (Annil) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 09:21 pm: Edit

Ive actually heard that from a few of my coworkers- People often wonder if someone was "unable to cut it in a PhD program" if they just got their Masters. In a way its almost better to either just stick with a bachelors or go for the PhD. There is also Post Bachelors research focused programs that would be a good experience for me to prepare for grad school.

Im wondering how competitive UC Berkeley is to get into and which of the UCs are easier to get into yet still a desirable program...

By Coureur (Coureur) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 12:59 am: Edit

The top four UCs for graduate bio/biotech are UCSF, UCB, UCSD, & UCLA. The next tier are UCD, UCI, and UCSB. Those might be good candidates for you. I know you can have a perfectly good career with a PhD from UCD, because that's where I went.