Bioenchilada

I think that if you get a great GRE score, you'll be range from a very to moderaltely competitive candidate for the programs you listed, the higher uncertainty being on the top 5/10 schools. Your SOP will still be critical. People with great stats can be rejected because they can't convey their interests in a convincing manner. Also, make sure that all the programs you're applying to have something that you want rather than basing it off of ranking. Doing the latter will definitely lead you to be unsuccessful in the top programs. You have to convince the adcom that there's something more that they're giving you besides a reputation.

Who is writing your rec letters?

I really wouldn't say graduate school apps are a crapshoot per se given that the expression makes it seem more luck-based which it definitely isn't. However, biochemgirl and I are just saying that based on the schools this person listed, their GPA is on the low side. A high GPA/GRE/glowing letters won't guarantee admission, but the chances are significantly greater... Like by a lot. Of course, a relatively low GPA won't prevent you from getting into any graduate schools, but admission might come from schools that the individual is not interested in.

I think the main issue with your app will be the lack of rec letters from professors you conducted research with and the lack of diversity in your research experience. Though some people might agree that this is not important, I think it makes your SOP more impressive and easier to write. Your GPA is also evidently an issue and I agree with the previous poster that you should diversify your list. A friend of mine from my school with a 4.0, a high GRE, and almost the same amount of research experience got rejected by all the 10 grad schools she applied to, and she's also a great writer. I think it was because her SOP was on the weaker side due to a lack of research exposure. Her rec letters were also coming from 1 research supervisor, and 2 professors.

I was told that the subject test is only recommended when you have a low GPA or when your school's reputation is not known, just to make sure your GPA actually reflects your knowledge in the field.

Awesome, congrats!!

They will probably look at your undergrad coursework and GPA more than your Master's. So, I don't think it really matters much.

Where did y'all hear back from?

Lol just saw a trigger typo on my post, but can't edit it now. Oh wellll

Lol you're PI just sounds like an ass. My Harvard experience was much different. Though my PI was also very famous, he was very engaging with the graduate students and a very humble person. Not only this, but he also had a sense of humor! He is probably my favorite PI thus far. Also, Stanford is already a very competitive school, so I don't know if the environments would actually be THAT different.

Lol there's a lot of biotech companies in the Boston/Cambridge area as well.

Not really. You shouldn't go to a school that doesn't have something that you want to do.

You stated that you had 6 rejections and 1 acceptance in the past. Are you going to decline their offer and reapply? If so, why?

I think that what you've heard about Harvard is not entirely true. I did A summer internship there and I don't think that I felt like I couldn't talk to anyone or that the environment wasn't collaborative. I think this is mainly lab dependent. I honestly loved Boston and Harvard Medical School. If I were you, I'd go to BBS if you would be happy at both places in order to avoid intellectual incest, though I'm pretty sure this won't affect you since Stanford is already in the top 3 lol

Definitely agree. I don't think 1.5 years of experience is enough, especially if it's only with one lab/one project. My friend with a 4.0, high GRE, and 2 years of research experience got rejected from EVERYWHERE she applied to (10/10). They're also a stellar writer, but 1 project is just too little to talk about at the undergrad level. Did you get in someplace this round, or are you reapplying?

I'd suggest trying to score above the 60th percentile on both parts to avoid being weeded out. The rest of your app is great though!

Yeah, but there is a difference between merit-based scholarships and NIH-grant funding (or any large scale funding source). I can see how you could for a reconsideration of your FA package when you're talking about scholarships, but training grants are basically fixed. The only way you would get more money is if they gave you an additional fellowship on top of the training grant that you already get as part of your admission.

I'd advise against asking for more money. $700 less is nothing. If the money is comparable, I'd go to where you feel like it'd be the best fit. Heck, I turned down a school that offered me 4K (more) per year.

I did not take any subject tests. I just think the competition amongst international students is more intense in order to get into a top in the US. GPA is something you cant change, so I'd work on getting the highest scores as possible on the GRE/subject test and getting as much exposure as possible research-wise. I think the most competitive applicants at top 10 schools have 2.5+ years of experience before applying. If I may ask, who wrote your rec letters? Also, how was yor SOP when you submitted it?. You can send me a PM if you'd rather not make that info public.

Amongst the schools you applied to, which one was your top choice? Also, I agree with retaking the GRE and taking the biochemistry subject test. I think that taking a year to do research will definitely help you next year. In terms of your GPA, is that converted to a 4.0 scale or is that the actual number out of 4.3?

I'd say that you focus more on research and personal fit rather than the amount of top tier publications put out of by the lab. If you hate the research or the environment, it'll affect your performance and motivation, which will then impact the work you publish. Since you're already going to a school you don't want to go, I'd suggest going with the lab you feel happiest with, regardless of research output.

I know like 4 people that got it!

I definitely agree with what you said, though your GPA and GREs put you well above the average, even for top programs haha Which school will you be attending?

Why are you not looking into top programs?

I definitely agree with @biochemgirl67. You should really reconsider since you'll be unhappy if you end up at a place you didn't want to go and, on top of that, wanted to avoid grad school. But, do as you please.