DO WELL IN SCHOOL!!
All applications received for graduate programs are sorted by some basic criteria...GPA is one of them. While it's not everything, your GPA is a number that will put you in one of three categories: yes, maybe or no. To avoid this being as issue for you, work hard and do as well as you are able to, especially in upper level courses related to your major.

DO RESEARCH!!
Most schools are looking for applicants with some research experience...there are several different options!!
when should I do this?

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU's)
REU's are summer research programs (usually competitive for admission) that range in duration from 8-12 weeks. Most research institutions offer some type of REU program. These opportunities involve guided research in a lab and the "hands-on" experience that is associated with it; in addition, these programs provide the chance to work with other undergraduates from different institutions, graduate students and the professor who oversees all research in his/her lab. Also, most REU's offer a stipend and housing to participants.

Internships
Internships are typically research opportunities available through industry or private companies; national laboratories may also offer some opportunities. Internships are typically unpaid programs, but can be taken for couse credit (CHEM or PHYS 4960). Time commitments vary from company to company; arrangements are usually made on a case by case basis based on the needs of the company and your availability.

Research for Course Credit
Course credit can be earned by electing to do independent research in chemistry or physics (CHEM 4991 or PHYS 4900). This type of research experience will be an open-ended project directed and guided by a chemistry or physics faculty member, and will involve a written paper (possibly a publication) and an oral presentation to the chemistry and physics faculty (possibly a poster at a professional meeting). You can choose to elect 2-4 credit hours of research per semester; the time commitment is equivalent to 6-12 hours of lab work per week.

GET INVOLVED!!
The more involved you are in your discipline (chemistry or physics) & departmental functions and meetings, the better, as involvement speaks volumes for commitment.

• Join the Student Affiliates section of the American Chemical Society (SAACS) or the equivalent section of the American Physical Society, the Society of Physics Students (SPS). This can be done simply by attending meetings on campus; look for posted signs advertising meetings in the Chemistry and Physics Department in the Science Center.

• Attend professional meetings and/or conferences. There are many local section meetings in the area. Some acronyms for meetings names are listed below; also below are links to the websites for the American Chemical Society and the American Physical Society where further information can be found.

CHEMISTRY RELATED ORGANIZATIONS & ANNUAL MEETINGS
American Chemical Society
Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society--SERMACS
Georgia Academy of Science

PHYSICS RELATED ORGANIZATIONS & ANNUAL MEETINGS
American Physical Society
Local Section of APS
American Association of Physics Teachers
Georgia Academy of Science

• Tutoring is another good way to get involved (& stay involved) in your discipline, whether it is chemistry or physics. Not only will this help you in your current studies, but it will help cement the material in your mind and keep you focued on the basics which will be invaluable later on (i.e. in graduate school and for the subject area portion of the graduate school admission exam).

4.

MAKE CONTACTS!!
Establish a rapport with your professors. Take the time to talk to them about their research interests, or the area(s)/branches of chemistry or physics that they're interested in, especially as these interests are related to the course you're taking from them. Also, visit professors during office hours with questions regarding the course; this can never hurt, and the extra discussion of the material may be helpful to your understanding of it....The bottom line is that if you work closely with professors, they will have something indepth and substantial to write about when it comes time to ask for letters of recommendation.

In addition to talking with professors at AASU, develop contacts with professors at other universities. Approach them at professional conferences & ask questions about their research and graduate programs at their university...The contacts you make while an undergraduate student may be invaluable later on when applying to graduate school, for a post-doc or a job...you never know who these professors know!!

STAY CURRENT!!
Begin reading professional (research-based, peer-reviewed) chemistry or physics journals for fun!...focus on articles in areas that are of interest to you. Not only will it be valuable to be aware of current reseach topics & trends in your field or area of interest, but the sooner you become accustomed to reading this type of writing, the better off you'll be.

VISIT SCHOOLS!!
Make plans to visit schools that are of interest to you. Most schools have specific visitation times for prospective graduate students; to find out more information, contact the department secretary. Oftentimes, with some advance notice, it is possible to arrange for a tour of the campus and department as well as interview(s) with faculty whom you are potentially interested in working with & current graduate students. The amount of travel expenses that are covered for these visits vary from school to school, and reimbursement is granted only with prior approval.