Biology grad programs that are easy to get in to?

[Hiimhaley]

I don't have the greatest GPA In the world (3.2), but I do have a lot of research experience. I wanted to know if there are programs easy to get into that I could use as my kind of "if all else fails" option. Thanks !

Edited July 9, 2014 by Hiimhaley

[Vene]

MS programs at regional state universities may be a backup option to look into. They do have worse financial support than PhD programs so you may want to focus on instate programs.

[Crucial BBQ]

The "unofficial" cutoff for most programs in biology is 3.0. As long as you can explain any low grades in your SOP it might not be a problem. 

 

As far as "safety" schools are concerned typically Master's programs do not have as-strict entrance requirements. 

[Nautiloid]

For PhD programs it is generally accepted that there is no such thing as a "safe" program. It's probably a waste of effort to apply to a school that's lower ranked if you don't fit their program just because you think you'll get in easily. The good news is that if you fit and you've got what they're looking for, someone will take you. 

Echoing what other's have said: MS programs are good backups, especially if you're not quite sure you want to stick out a PhD. Additionally, many of these have later application deadlines, so if things start to look bad mid-March, you can still apply to many of them. However, less funding can be difficult if you have debt to pay from undergrad and don't want to rack up more.  

 

Another option is industry work, even if it's just as a lab tech. It's better than doing nothing, and will get you some lab experience in something other than academia. If you have loans from undergrad, this will help you pay them and not accrue more.