Hi everyone I'm an international student and I go to a high ranked state school and I'm applying to biology PhD programs at the end of this year (i'm a junior) I really need honest opinion about my chances so I don't waste money applying to places I'm not a good fit for! Major: BS Biology, BA PolSci, minors in international relations and chem. cGPA: 3.51 sGPA: 3.31 (upward trend, all As in upper level bio classes, couple Cs in chemistry first year) Research: 2.5 years including summers on a fellowship. 1 first author peer-reviewed pub, 2 co-authors. Extracurriculars: tons of research stuff, TAing, mentoring, advising, clubs, jobs etc LOR: My PI is kind of a big deal so I'm counting on that one. Other letter will be from my neurobio and neurolab prof (got As in both) and third one from the director of undergraduate research on campus GRE: Have not taken yet but I'm scoring 160-162 on Verbal and 165+ on math on practice tests. Also planning on taking subject in Biochem. Classes taken: Orgo chem, 2 semesters of physics, 2 semesters of calc, biostats, neurobio, neuro lab, cell bio, cell lab, developmental bio, genomics, biological basis of disease, ecology, evolution, genetics + tons of research seminars Schools I'm applying to Yale Princeton MIT University of Rochester University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Colorado-Boulder University of Washington UCLA UCSD UCI Rice Thoughts?