hopefulbiograd

Ok, I will do a little more research and look into a couple more mid-tier schools to apply to. And thanks for the tip about the rec letter, I think I will ask the environmental science professor I worked for in my undergrad instead.

Here's my app: Undergrad Institution: UC Santa Cruz Major(s): Biochemistry; Ecology & Evolution Minor(s): GPA in Major: 3.95 Overall GPA: 3.92 Position in Class: near top Type of Student: domestic white male GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 160, 78% V: 161, 87% W: 4.5, 80% B: didn't take I'm thinking of taking the GRE again, and am hoping to do better on math. I am not a fan of standardized tests :/ Research Experience: 1.5 years in microbiology lab in undergrad at UCSC, no publication unfortunately (I was promised primary or co-primary authorship at one point, but I don't know the current state it's in). I am currently working as a research assistant in a biochemistry/cell biology lab that I have been with for 2 years now (for anonymity's sake it is either Harvard, MIT, or Stanford); I have been working closely with a post-doc and we hope to publish by December or early next year on which I will be a second author. Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Highest honors in both majors, summa cum laude, phi beta kappa, several scholarships, dean's list 11/11 quarters. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Same as research experience entry. I also worked as a lab assistant for 2 years in an environmental science lab. Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I wrote a senior thesis in my undergrad. Special Bonus Points: My current professor is highly regarded and I am told his letter of rec carries a lot of weight; it should hopefully help a lot with the school I currently work at. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Applying to Where: MIT - Biology Harvard - Molecules, Cells & Organisms Stanford - Cancer Biology UC Berkeley - Molecular and Cell Biology UCSF - TETRAD UC San Diego - Biology (It is a good mid-tier safety school I am told) Honestly I am worried that my GRE scores are sub-optimal, especially math for these schools. My professor recommended I get 90% on everything to be safe. I'm not sure how big of a deal breaker this is, and I also don't know how much I can improve those scores. Also, in terms of letters of rec, I was thinking of putting my current professor, my undergrad professor, and the post-doc who I have worked closely with...should I not include the post-doc? I thought it would be good to have someone who knows what I'm like in the lab. Otherwise, I could put a senior scientist from my current lab or even another professor from my undergrad who knows me well. Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile and comment!!