shovonreza

same here! I also have only two years of research experience and one summer internship with no publications. But I'm still taking a shot at top schools like Harvard, even though I'm an international student, since all other parts of my application including GPA, standardized tests and recommendations are pretty good. I think you should also go for top schools as I don't think publications matter that much if you can show in your SOP that you are genuinely interested in what you want to do. At best you're gonna lose that 100 bucks spent on the application, but it's worth a shot. All the best luck to you and all the applicants!

Hi, thank you very much for your response. During volunteering, I did not have any independent projects. Here in Turkey, undergraduate students are rarely given independent projects as fundings are difficult to manage. I have only worked in one lab in Turkey, so one of my recommender is going to mention my research, but I made a very good impression on him, so the letter would be very positive. Another letter comes from the professor I did my summer research internship in Canada, So that is also going to be research-related. The third letter comes from a professor with whom I took 2 courses (MicroBio and Prokaryotic molecular genetics) and an extensive laboratory course. My overall research experience is probably the 2 projects (around 1 year) and 3 months of summer internship. (If you exclude the "volunteer" period) As for university selection, My top choices like Harvard or Princeton have large research centers on aging: my topic of interest. I did choose some of the universities like NYU based on other's advices..as I was having difficulty finding universities that have multiple faculty members studying aging. Most of the big programs have some faculty members studying my topic of interest, But I want to have some safe options, as big schools like ivy leagues are very competitive. Any suggestions?

Undergrad Institution: Reputed University In TurkeyMajor(s): Molecular Biology and GeneticsMinor(s): N/AGPA in Major:N/AOverall GPA: 3.95Position in Class: TopType of Student: internationalGRE Scores (revised):Q: 167 (94%)V: 166 (96%)W: 4.5 (80%)B: TOEFL Total: 119 (Reading:29, Listening,Speaking and Writing:30 ), out of 120.Research Experience: 1 year volunteer at a yeast molecular genetics lab, 2 research projects in the same lab studying molecular mechanism of aging, 1 summer internship in Concordia University Canada, Studying aging in yeast as well, but this was a biochemistry lab, so we studied lipid dynamics in those yeast strains.Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list in every semester, probably going to graduate Summa Cum Laude Pertinent Activities or Jobs: N/AAny Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: An international student in turkey, studying under Government Scholarship,Special Bonus Points: Recommendations are going to be great..I have good connections with all of the recommenders.Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: N/AApplying to Where:Harvard - BBS - Mostly Aging biology, Redox biology, same for all programs UPenn - Biomedical Graduate Studies: Cell and Molecular Biology Brown University - Cell and Molecular Biology Princeton- Biosciences University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: Cellular Molecular and Developmental Biology Johns Hopkins: Cell and Molecular Biology NYU-Sackler University of Colorado,Boulder- Cell and Molecular Biology Considering my profile and the fact that I am an international student, Am I aiming too high? Should I also include some less competitive programs? I think I have competitive standardized test scores..but what worries me is that I have no publication. Having publication at undergraduate level is a rarity in Turkey. Can anyone enlighten me on this? Thanks and good luck to all applicants!

Hi, I am applying to molecular biology programs in The USA, can anyone PM me if they are interested in reviewing my SOP?

Hi, I am an international student, so I am not very familiar with US rules. I am a college senior and will graduate on June 2016. If I want to catch fall 2016 PhD programs without waiting 1 year, I'll need to apply with only 3 years of course-works and grades in my transcript, as most application deadlines end by January and My senior year transcripts will not be available before January. Can I apply with that transcript? Thanks!

I took two courses actually Physics I and II..I did really well so he let me hang around his lab sometimes since i was interested. Not "personally" personally, what I meant to say was he could write good stuff about my potential and interest in various fields. Hope that explains

Hi, So I took this physics course from a Physics professor in Freshman year and did great. My major is molecular biology, however. But I personally know this professor and He would actually write me stellar recommendation than some of my own department professors. While I'll also be asking for LOR's from faculties of my own department, do you guys think an LOR from a Professor from a different department but in the same university will weigh less compared to those from professors of my own department? Thanks.

Hi, thanks a lot for your reply. I will keep these in mind and look more into private schools. One question though, before applying is it better to contact a faculty that i would like to work with if admitted or should one just apply directly? Is there any list or survey or something like that that I can refer to for selecting schools that have a higher acceptance rates for international students? thanks again.

Hi, I am a college undergrad from Turkey and I am currently completing my junior year. My major is Molecular biology and Genetics. Next year I am willing to apply to different schools in USA that offer funded PhD programs. I have a decent CGPA of 3.95/4.0 and currently the top student in my class. I have been working in the lab of a professor here for two years and will be undertaking a graduation project next year from him. I have already taken the revised GRE and scored decent (Quant 167 Verbal 166 AWA 4.5). I am also preparing to take the subject GRE for Biochemistry in September.This summer I will be visiting Concordia University in Canada to work on a project with a professor there. I am hoping that I will be able to manage some decent LOR's from my professor and the Canadian professor. One thing I am concerned about is that I have no publication in any scientific journal.In Turkey, there are not a lot of opportunities available for an undergraduate to be able to publish research works independently. Since applying to any grad school in US costs at least 70-100 $ I am thinking of applying to 5 schools at best. At this condition, considering my lack of journal publication, which schools should I apply to? Is it practical to go for top tier schools like UCLA or UCBerkeley? I have also heard good things about Johns Hopkins. It'd be great if you guys could enlighten me on how important the roles of journal publications are in candidate selection process by the Grad schools and possibly name some grad schools that I could apply with a higher chance of getting in with funding with my current profile. Thanks a lot

Hi, I am a college undergrad from Turkey and I am currently completing my junior year. My major is Molecular biology and Genetics. Next year I am willing to apply to different schools in USA that offer funded PhD programs. I have a decent CGPA of 3.95/4.0 and currently the top student in my class. I have been working in the lab of a professor here for two years and will be undertaking a graduation project next year from him. I have already taken the revised GRE and scored decent (Quant 167 Verbal 166 AWA 4.5). I am also preparing to take the subject GRE for Biochemistry in September.This summer I will be visiting Concordia University in Canada to work on a project with a professor there. I am hoping that I will be able to manage some decent LOR's from my professor and the Canadian professor. One thing I am concerned about is that I have no publication in any scientific journal.In Turkey, there are not a lot of opportunities available for an undergraduate to be able to publish research works independently. Since applying to any grad school in US costs at least 70-100 $ I am thinking of applying to 5 schools at best. At this condition, considering my lack of journal publication, which schools should I apply to? Is it practical to go for top tier schools like UCLA or UCBerkeley? I have also heard good things about Johns Hopkins. It'd be great if you guys could enlighten me on how important the roles of journal publications are in candidate selection process by the Grad schools and possibly name some grad schools that I could apply with a higher chance of getting in with funding with my current profile. Thanks a lot