To PhD or not to PhD ? - (Jul/21/2017 )

I have finished my M.Sc in Biochemistry from India with an acceptable grade (8.4/10 GPA with A grade). I didn't fare very well in my B.Sc, got a 2.43/4 with Second Division/Class Did a part-time dissertation project which didn't produce any results

I'm fairly confident I have the passion for research but lack merit and plus my lab skills suck.

I'm planning to gather more experience by applying for research assistantships here to compensate for the above and am looking at PhD options abroad in the meanwhile since my long term ambition is to be a researcher. What worries me is the strict academic standards required for most decent universities. Should I continue to look for opportunities or not traverse this path at all ? What alternative remediations would you suggest to offset bad grades ?

Edit: Seems I just copy-pasted someone else's topic title but I did it unknowingly. Apologies for that

Mehul Sharma on Fri Jul 21 20:48:15 2017 said:

I have finished my M.Sc in Biochemistry from India with an acceptable grade (8.4/10 GPA with A grade). I didn't fare very well in my B.Sc, got a 2.43/4 with Second Division/Class Did a part-time dissertation project which didn't produce any results

 

I'm fairly confident I have the passion for research but lack merit and plus my lab skills suck.

I'm planning to gather more experience by applying for research assistantships here to compensate for the above and am looking at PhD options abroad in the meanwhile since my long term ambition is to be a researcher. What worries me is the strict academic standards required for most decent universities. Should I continue to look for opportunities or not traverse this path at all ? What alternative remediations would you suggest to offset bad grades ?

Edit: Seems I just copy-pasted someone else's topic title but I did it unknowingly. Apologies for that

I always say the same thing:

if you have doubts about doing a PhD , do it! 

Why? Very simple: if you are able to start one now you can always stop after a while if you dislike it.

If you like it, you continue.

The thing is: if you doubt and not start one now in a few years from now you might regret it and realize it is too late to start one (not too many start with a PhD after a few years out of the academical setting).

I know this is perhaps some weird advice but lets face it, the only way to know whether or not you liking it, is by trying it.

My worries are More inclined to whether I'll get into a good programme/university rather than of I'll like a PhD

Mehul Sharma on Sun Jul 23 06:31:26 2017 said:

My worries are More inclined to whether I'll get into a good programme/university rather than of I'll like a PhD

that is something we can not say a lot about.

All you can do is try.... 

your grades in the m sc program should help to enter a good phd program. that and any recommendations that may arise from your assistantships should help.

similar to what pito said, "nothing ventured, nothing gained".