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Hello all, I am applying this year for Fall 2011 admission to PhD programs, a mix of Cancer Biology and Cell Biology. I have strong research experience (2.5 years plus of a solo post-undergrad project with a previous co-author publication in a high impact factor journal), very strong letters of rec, and 1520 GRE (800 Quant, 720 Verbal, 6.0 AW). However (I'm sure all of you saw this coming, wouldn't post just to brag), my GPA is less than stellar. 3.25 at a top-20 private university with a 2.82 science/math. I just kind of slacked off in college and didn't take my classes seriously enough, and am obviously regretting that now. I am applying to a mix of "safety" schools and some more on the "dream" side for someone with my GPA (UPenn, Rockefeller, Sloan Kettering). Can anybody with previous experience at these schools or insight into the application process in general comment on how reasonable you think my chances are at schools of this tier? Can the poor GPA be overlooked or do you think my application will get weeded out before the essay and letters have a chance to be read? Thanks, and sorry for the cliche "What are my chances" post, but I'm sure other people have been there.