Graduating students who plan to enter the work force directly after graduation should notify their advisor early in the senior year that they are planning on going to work after graduation, so that the faculty can assist in the job placement process. For students who plan to go to graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry, teaching assistantships and fellowships are available from all graduate schools and no student attends graduate school without being paid. Students should prepare to apply to graduate schools in the beginning of the spring semester of their senior year by taking the Graduate Record Examinations during the fall semester. Students should contact their faculty advisor early in the application process for suggestions as to which graduate schools would meet their needs. For students who have taken organic and preferably, physical chemistry before the end of their junior year, there are an increasing number of summer research positions available.
Many universities run summer research programs to attract potential graduate students.
Faculty at the College and MUSC can often pay students summer stipends for research from their grants. These summer research positions are often quite important in being accepted at the best graduate schools. Students should watch the bulletin boards or contact their advisor early in the spring semester for information about summer research positions.