matiasandina

I am an international student. We don't have many of the american systems (GPA, etc). I will try to use the template given on other questions as far as I can. Institution: Undergrad + Masters: Biggest state school, good reputation (around 250 in global ranks) The degree is a Biology degree but I've spent last 3 years doing neuroscience/molecular biology courses + research Overall GPA: around 3.3/4 (the real is around 8.3/10) Position in Class: slightly above the historic average (7.9/10) Type of Student: international male GRE Scores (revised/old version): Taking in two weeks. Quant practice is around 160, Verbal is around 155 Q: V: W: B: should I? TOEFL: 104/120 Research Experience: 2.5 years in a memory lab doing behavioral tests and western blot. The research has been quite slow because I had to standarize a new recording device using a shifting natural population (so I was never sure if I was doing things wrong or the sample was not helping or both). At least I have had a good experience with experimental design, statistics and I am taking my first solid steps using R on my own. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 2 congress poster presentations ? thesis coming on december but not publishing? Pertinent Activities or Jobs: School teacher Founded private lessons company which lasted 3 years Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Youtube channel with more than 150 videos and 1M total views? (kahn accademy style) Special Bonus Points: Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Applying to Where: This is the big question. I want to have a quality jump in my career. I want to learn state of the art techniques and having the resources to actually do research with them instead of smiling to the papers. I want to focus on behavioral neuroscience, addiction and memory. I try to compare with some descriptions given by others in this forum and I find myself without a chance. Although I've written some emails and actually got one "I encourage you to apply to the phd program in this around top 20 University program" I don't think I stand a chance. I might have 3 letters of recommendations but, since in our country we normally do research in only one lab, I will have 1 from my PI (not a huge name) and 2 from professors which are very recognized but work in other fields (and also just know me because I was a pretty good student in their classes so they can't say much about my research abilities). I tried to make a more holistic approach (consider lifestyle and cultural change) but I still think I'm going to be applying places out of my league. These ones are: UC San Diego NYU Cornell Cold Spring Harbor Yale * Washington University in St. Louis * * I don't think I have even a tiny chance here I've also seen some interesting places in Canada (Toronto and Mcgill). Finally, since taking the Biochem GRE (I will probably take it) and also applying will cost a lot I'm trying to avoid as much as possible the spending money roulette and apply where I have solid chances. I've been given the advice to chose a strategy of 1 "dream school", 1 "realistic school" and 1 "for sure school". In order to follow the advice I would need to know what are my realistic and for sure chances at least (I can always dream huge and apply to Harvard med school) Thanks!