aiyaa

Do you think my GPA will hold me back? I'm trying to increase it but I doubt I'll be able to get it higher than 3.7 or so.

Seriously? I was totally under the impression that GPA doesn't matter as long as you're above the cutoff and have solid research/GREs. fffffff

Currently a sophomore biology major at top 30 undergrad (large research university, state flagship) GPA: 3.5 Have not taken GRE, but scored ~2150 on SAT with little studying (didn't give a crap about undergrad admissions lol) and am good test taker in general. 1 year in network neuroscience lab under fairly new PI Second author publication in small but peer-reviewed journal (IF ~5.4) Third author (out of 4) publication pending acceptance in PLoS Biology Currently in the beginning stages of an independent project, hopefully leading to a first author paper. Planning to stay in my lab (possibly with a SURF) this coming summer, do an REU the summer after junior year, and spend a year in a different lab for a year after I graduate while applying to grad school. Other random activities: Heavily involved in the university symphony and an intensive chamber music program. Teach free music lessons to underprivileged children. I don't think any of this matters but included it just in case. How can I improve my application for top tier schools, assuming that I apply to good fit programs?