[2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

I'm not sure why there's an emphasis placed on "mostly Ivy League places," as fit matters more than general prestige, but competitive programs will usually expect at minimum one full year of research, if not more - I don't think 5 months is adequate at all. That being said, I would strongly recommend getting in contact with someone who can better evaluate your application as an international applicant - since you're going to be a research trainee, hopefully someone at the lab you'll be working at will be better equipped to answer your questions than the members of this forum.

Thank you so very much for your valuable advise. I appreciate your help. I completely agree that some programs are far better than many Ivy-League programs. Thanks also for highlighting it. The fact goes that I will be a research trainee for 1 year and according to my mentor I can extend it and do research as a paid Post-Doc Fellow in his Lab if he finds me good but since I am inclined on doing a PhD I was weighing the option of a good Competitive program in USA. And one more question I needed to ask is do the Letter of Recommendation of Post-Docs working in a laboratory work?? I suppose I need 3 LoRs but I can gather 2 of them from Scientists but short of one so was wondering the same. 

Thanks a ton to you for your help!! All the very best for your application!! (Y)

 

I think blinchik makes some good points. I will just add one thing since you say you are planning to pursue a MD after the PhD, you should really be looking at MD-PhD Dual degree training instead. You would probably be a more suitable applicant for this sort of program and it would save you a lot of time then to do them separately.

Thank you so much for your input. Actually Md-PhD is a pathway for US students who go to med school. I already graduated from med school in December, 2014 so unfortunately I will not be able to apply for the same. MD-PhD saves a couple of years I know but then again my country doesnot have such a combined degree and I cannot join Med School in USA now so had to look for PhD and MD separately. Thanks a ton for your help. All the best for your Application (Y)

[2015 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

Hii, I am absolutely new to this forum. 
I am an International Doctor with a MBBS degree who want to apply for PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology before pursuing MD and work to work in translation. My profile is not stellar with 109/120 in TOEFL and GPA of 4(Liberal system used) . I am yet to give GRE. I have 9 weeks research experience in a Laboratory in India and now I am going for a yearlong Research Trainee in Harvard University.I have 6 publications but all are clinically oriented and not Laboratory Research.I was wondering to apply after 5 months of research in Harvard for PhD with GRE. Do you think I stand a chance to do PhD from good Universities mostly IvY league places with my CV??

Thanks a ton!!I I apologize for the inconvenience caused. 

[Help for a Doctor]

Hii
I am an International Doctor with a MBBS degree who want to apply for PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology before pursuing MD and work to work in translation. My profile is not stellar with 109/120 in TOEFL and GPA of 4(Liberal system used) . I am yet to give GRE. I have 9 weeks research experience in a Laboratory in India and now I am going for a yearlong Research Trainee in Harvard University.I have 6 publications but all are clinically oriented and not Laboratory Research.I was wondering to apply after 5 months of research in Harvard for PhD with GRE. Do you think I stand a chance to do PhD from good Universities mostly IvY league places with my CV??

Thanks a ton!!