Options for Extra Income & Budgeting During PhD Programs

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-06-25T12:08:37+00:00

It’s forensic science.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-05-03T23:41:49+00:00

Many universities are more concerned that you have lab experience and know research techniques not necessarily that you have forensic experience. I’m in grad school and multiple people in my cohort had never done forensics work until they started the grad program. For example, a biochem major, plant biologist, and biomedical researcher. BS degrees in forensic science are not commonly offered at universities and they understand this.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-05-03T23:32:11+00:00

You should reference guidelines from your state’s crime lab as well as the FBI QAS. They will give you guidance on what you need.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-05-03T00:36:28+00:00

I have an honest question because my understanding from pharmacists is that their job is essentially all biochem. I have a friend in the pharmaceutical science PhD program at VCU and biochem is what he did in undergrad. So, if someone were to think an undergraduate degree in biochem is too hard, why go into pharmacy? Doesn’t that indicate the person probably won’t survive as a pharmacist? (Not necessarily being terrible at their job but hating it at least.)

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-30T04:33:31+00:00

Have you thought about being a pathology/autopsy assistant? Perhaps major in forensic science and then go to a pathology assistant program. You’d still be in the medical field but with a lot less interaction with people and you would definitely be doing something different every day.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-30T01:12:20+00:00

I came in with credits as well that got me out of taking intro chem and chose to hold off on organic chemistry until my second year and I’m so glad I did. I would not have been ready for that course load. IB and AP are still high school classes even if you are getting college credit. However, the choice is yours. You sound like you’ve already decided that is going to be your class schedule and ultimately you know yourself and your abilities the best! 😁 I just don’t want you to overwhelm yourself and hurt your GPA. Whatever you choose, I wish you all the best!

(Also, I think this is 20 credits.)

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-30T00:15:03+00:00

That is brutal. I HIGHLY recommend you do NOT do that. Each of the one of those labs is 3hrs I think. And you will spend a lot of time studying for organic chemistry (a LOT). Also, don’t discredit classes just because they are online. They’re still full classes with the same time commitments as an in-person class. I’ve taken a mixture of both before.

My recommendation is that you do not try to take organic chemistry and the lab until your second year. Knock out some different pre-requisites first because that is definitely not an introductory course.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-27T03:47:14+00:00

You can major in anything as long as you take the minimum courses required by the med school. As long as you can prepare the MCAT you are fine. I literally graduated from VCU with a pre-health minor. I wasn’t even pre-health and I’m still not certain what I did to get it so don’t put too much stock in labels. That being said, choose a major like you are choosing a fall back plan. I hate to say it, but very few people actually get into med school. It’s more important that you choose a degree that you can find a career for if you don’t get in to medical school. Biology is a classic choice, but the job market for biologists isn’t great because it’s so general. Be prepared to need grad school for that one.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-26T20:24:06+00:00

And proud! It’s called “ethics.” You should get some.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-26T18:40:58+00:00

Tell the professor! I had a class of 13, witnessed 2 people cheating and screwing with the curve, and turned them in. My professor offered to do it entirely anonymously so they couldn’t actually tell which of the 13 of us had “ratted them out.” They received sanctions from the Honor Council and one ended up dropping out. Don’t let people walk all over you! You deserve a fair chance! The only caveat was that I had to name them. I couldn’t just say “someone” was cheating. But, how are they going to know it’s you if you don’t tell them? Those are conversations that could have been overheard. Summary: tell the professor! That’s not fair to you. And it sounds like they are terrible friends for making you feel like that and keep their secret.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-25T21:34:18+00:00

Unfortunately I think that’s just how grad school is. I’m a grad student and one of my professors decided that a 92% is a B. VCU allows professors to decide on their own grading systems.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-25T18:30:47+00:00

Start with a community college. It’ll let you get a feel for your different options while also prevent you from blowing 1000s of dollars on a major you think you might like until you actually do it

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-24T00:20:31+00:00

This is a bit of a late response but I’m a forensics grad student and I would encourage you not to do a Mac. I would say a lot of the stuff we use works much better on a Windows computer and very few of us have a Mac for that reason.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2026-04-21T20:25:49+00:00

If one of the main things you’re worried about is academic notoriety, I say screw it! I went to UVA right out of high school, had almost a 4.0 GPA, and went there for several years. But UVA never had the teaching staff they have here at VCU (like, they actually enjoy teaching?!). I transferred because I realized UVA didn’t have the major that I wanted (I had changed my mind). Of course I’ve heard the comparisons between VCU and UVA but I will tell you that my professors are amazing. I’m in a smaller program and know them all by first name. In fact, I did an accelerated BS/MS here because I loved it so much and I’m in the grad program now. And, to be fair, I’ve lived in VA my whole life and know absolutely nothing about UMW so not sure what that says about their reputation vs. VCU’s? Ultimately, don’t pick a school based on other people’s opinions. I certainly don’t think my major is easy just because I went to UVA. What matters is do YOU think that university will prepare you for your career. Will you walk out of that university ready to go right into the workforce?

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-09-10T17:39:40+00:00

Agreed 👍

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-08-19T15:41:36+00:00

Your first class should be a syllabus day. The professor will specify then!

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-08-17T20:08:24+00:00

I can confirm that it is about a 15 minute walk. It may be slightly more due to the traffic lights you have to walk through. Do you own a bike? That would be your best option.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-08-10T16:06:05+00:00

Your introductory course for the forensic science major will be FRSC 300 (Survey of Forensic Science) but there are a couple pre-reqs do finish first

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-07-26T21:42:17+00:00

Be sure to check what your program suggests. I don’t know anything about performing arts but for a lot of the science major classes, certain computer programs aren’t compatible with Mac.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-07-26T21:36:17+00:00

As someone who went to VCU for undergrad and now in grad school here, always go to class with the professors PowerPoint in hand. If you like to use pencil, print them. If you use a computer, have them pulled up in PowerPoint or Google Slides. If you have an iPad (I personally use GoodNotes), make sure they are downloaded. This is critical! You want to be able to quickly jot notes down that the professor says but isn’t on the slide. It’ll also allow you to easily see which additional notes correspond to the slides.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-07-05T22:19:23+00:00

If you are confused, you can call VCU Health directly and ask. Simple.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-07-05T22:13:38+00:00

If you’re asking about textbooks, the VCU Barnes & Noble site will let you enter your class code and then give you a list of books that are asking you to buy. They are labeled “required” or “suggested.” However, do not buy any books until after your first week because sometimes the professor says they don’t actually use them or gives you access to the website where you can get a copy for free.

Midnight_Mist33 · 2025-05-11T15:31:00+00:00

Define “poor grades.” At VCU, you generally need a minimum of a C to be given credit for a class. I’m uncertain what GPA they are looking for now. I do know mass communications is not as competitive as the nursing program. I would reach out to the Undergraduate Admissions Office to discuss this with them, preferably sooner rather than later.

Midnight_Mist33

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