ScreamingHairyArmadillo

My actual score was slightly higher than my practice tests. I went in expecting 600s verbal and 700s math, and ended up getting 710V 770Q. My advice is practice the writing. I didn't at all and probably could've done better than a 4 if I had practiced harder beforehand. But honestly, I liked getting the AW out of the way. Then all my adrenaline was utilized for the other two (probably more important) sections.

I also finding this whole process extremely exciting. The only two people I know that are applying to grad school are sort of blah about it. "Well I just have to do it to be a [insert future profession.]" But I am just so pumped with the thought of joining a lab that does what I want to do. Also, it's super exciting when faculty I contact are very receptive to me, but I haven't had anyone contact me first! Good job with being such hot PhD material!

I suppose I hadn't thought of mentioning too many names. I did include a "fit" paragraph, and specified 1-2 professors I really, really like (also, the ones I have been in contact with). But I then went on that I see myself collaborating with many of the other faculty members such as Dr. A for X, Dr. B for Y, and Dr. C for Z. I'm hoping that I come off as someone that is genuinely interested in many of the things the department is doing and that I fit with their philosophy (because I really am that someone!). I don't want to be someone that just locks myself in one lab and never cares what others are doing - I've had enough of that in undergrad.

Might depend on the field (or obviously the individual professor). My bet is that philosophy is a whole 'nother ballgame, compared to the sciences. But I still think it's a good idea to make contact. Maybe to avoid "brown-nosing," just ask general questions about the program or focus your questions on the faculty's work, as opposed to your own.

My initial thoughts are to go with A if you feel you can improve its meandering. However, depth of thought is obviously important to convey, so C would be my next choice. B probably doesn't cut it; while you might want to demonstrate your commitment to a topic (longer paper, longer research), committees probably don't want to spend their time reading it. Plus, it's not directly related to your proposed field. My advice would be to instead talk about it in your SOP and use it to discuss your commitment and research abilities as opposed to the content itself. Hope that helps! (Also, this is advice from someone who does not need to submit a writing sample, so take it with a grain of salt.)

Check this page out: http://dictybase.org/ It looks like there's tons of research going on; it's a model organism for genetics and cellular research.

You sound promising to me. Research experience and presentations are much more important than GPA (and your research experience is outstanding). Plus your GRE scores are hovering in the 80th % range, so no worries there. As for how to address your issues in the SOP, just be straightforward and honest. Describe how your other education system was different and that it made a transition to the US system difficult. Acknowledge that you failed a class, but was determined to make up for it and got a B+ the next try! Graduate schools love things like that; they want to know that if you fall you pick yourself back up successfully.

I would love to read mine, just so I know what my entire application package looks like! Otherwise, just do what coyabean does and use them therapeutically for the next few months.

I plan on having all my apps in by mid-November; I have a few December 1st deadlines, so I figure I can get all schools done at once. As for when my recommendations will be in...well...time to send some reminder emails!

Most of my emails have been successful; short blurbs saying that my interests would fit theirs and that I should remind them of me come November when they start considering admissions. However, one prof I just contacted sent me a 7 paragraph response! I still haven't figured out how to reply! She seems pretty enthusiastic that my interests fit the project that she just got some grants for.

I like this look much better. However, I think everyone's birthday has been reset to Jan. 1, 1970.

Peterson's Guide gives you a list, but rankings are harder. The Chronicle of Higher Ed's is the only one I've found.