Questions: Graduating in Cell Biology and Neurosciences in May 2020. GPA is not good (3.3 when I graduate). Realized I want to pursue research pretty late in undergrad career. I love anything that has to do with genomics/ proteomics etc. Current plan is to take 1-2 gap year and polish up research/lab skills. Does anyone know of any additional programs that allows undergrads with low GPA to hone their research skills before getting into grad school?
Thank you in advance.
Background:
I am set to graduate on May 2020 as a 5th year senior from Rutgers University with a degree in Cell Biology and Neurosciences. By the time I graduate I would have a 3.2-3.3 GPA which is not stellar (but I have been on Dean's list since Spring 2019). I did not declare my major until my 4th year because I was unsure about which path to follow upon graduation. My choices were between genetics and cellbio/neuro because I love genomics. This past summer I was able to get a research position at a plant biology lab and I absolutely loved it. A few weeks ago I became the first author of a poster presentation at a USDA conference. Thanks to my lab internship I now know that research is in my future although I do not know which field I would want to go into. I am looking at biotechnology/ molecular biology (even though I am not that good at chemistry). Since i am still deciding what exactly I want to do, I was thinking of taking a gap year and doing research while working PT in a lab and apply for a master's program to show pHD programs that I am capable of handling their program. Looking for programs one can apply to before grad school to hone their research skills.
