ForegutTube

Hey guys, looking for some advice on my school choices, the main wildcard here is my GPA. Also planning on applying to 10-12 schools, not counting NYC area schools because it would be nice to be close to home. Undergrad Institution: Top 35 Medium private research institution, nationally recognized medical/biomedical research programs Major(s): Cell and Developmental Biology, Psychology Minor(s): GPA in Major: Biology 3.1, Psychology 3.2 Overall GPA: 3.12 Position in Class: Not sure/ average Type of Student: Domestic Male GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 162 (84%) V: 159 (81%) W: 4.0 (54%) B: No Research Experience: 2.5 years undergraduate in a Biomedical Genetics lab. 2 independent research semester projects, 2 summers. 2 first author review articles. Currently a Research Tech in this same lab working on my own new project for the past year Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Deans scholarship all semesters, deans list 1 semester Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Lab technician for multiple years in undergrad, and one year prior to applying. Leadership role in social fraternity, an editor for the undergraduate research journal Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: First author review publications Special Bonus Points: PI is well connected if I decide to stay in the same research topic of lung development and lung stem cell biology. My PI did his postdoc at Duke in a field-leading lab with a very famous PI, that may help there. He is generally very-well connected in stem cell/dev bio field. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Failed physics and developmental biology the first time, got a B/B+ in both on the retake. The same semester as that I got a D in cell biology. I took Advanced Cell biology the next year and got an A-. I took 5 classes that semester including a 4 credit independent research and working on a paper and it was just too much for me to handle along with extracurriculars. Recommendations (besides my PI) will come from the developmental bio prof (also my undergrad advisor) and the advanced cell prof, whom I have a good relationship. Both plan to write favorable letters showing how they have seen my improvement, maturation and dedication. Obviously these grades are what Im most worried about when applying to my top schools. Applying to Where: All will be cell and dev bio, or stem cell biology if available "Reach": UCSF DCSB, UCSD, Columbia, NYU, BU "Possible": UCLA, UC Denver, USC, Emory, Michigan, UMN, UT Houston, UC Davis, U Washington, UT Austin New York City: Sloan Kettering, Cornell Weill, Mount Sinai, Albert Einstein