Fartre

Undergrad Institution: UC BerkeleyMajor(s): Integrative BiologyMinor(s):GPA in Major: 3.35Overall GPA: 3.17Position in Class: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯Type of Student: Domestic student (USA), maleGRE Scores (revised/old version): Taking the GRE on Nov. 4.Research Experience: Independent research with a Berkeley class on French Polynesia - results written up in paper, presented in public talk - not published. Extensive work in a paleobotany lab (Dr. Cindy Looy), currently describing a Cretaceous dicot for publication in March, will likely present at Botanical Society of America, will do field work in March and April. Independent summer research at Bodega Marine Lab, results written up in paper that is worse than paper mentioned above, presented in public talk. Independent wildlife research (fence lizard metabolism) for the Vertebrate Natural History class at Berkeley, results written up in paper of intermediate quality. Assisted a NASA researcher with investigation of spectral properties of vegetation.Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Unpaid tutor and paid notetaker for Student Learning Center, taught introductory biology to other students on behalf of SLC.Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Impending publication.Special Bonus Points: Recommenders are all senior scientists with a decent amount of clout: Dr. Brent Mishler Dr. Cindy Looy Dr. Petya CampbellAny Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Grades took a huge, anomalous hit in sophomore year - I panicked and switched to a computer science track, had to take too many classes, switched back to biology at the end of sophomore year. Unsure of how to explain this one, really. I switched into CS because that was my other big passion in high school, and my experience in biology labs (all molecular and cell bio labs) in freshman year had really turned me off the whole discipline. Still not sure how to spin that one. Provisional strategy is to play the "I'm a well-rounded student with the breadth of education to tackle big problems... just ignore the grades in those CS classes and look instead at their big scary names" card. Eager to hear if people have alternate strategies I might roll with. My transcript is attached for those curious.Applying to Where:UC Berkeley - Integrative Biology - Paleontology U Chicago - Geophysical Sciences - Paleontology James Saulsbury Unofficial Berkeley Transcript.pdf

I'm sure I would be a stronger researcher incrementally, but I think I'd be ready either way. I'm already taking one gap year to do this plant fossil research - I guess what I'm wondering is, could having a publication ready by the application time make or break an application? I'm feeling like I'll be on the edge for Chicago - my geology training is super minimal and my GPA is lower than what Chicago typically admits.

I'm a recent Berkeley grad (Integrative Biology, GPA=3.1) with a decent amount of research experience. I'm applying to paleontology programs at U Chicago (Geophysical Sciences), U Michigan Ann Arbor, and a few others, but I don't feel stellar about my chances. I'm also working under a graduate student at Berkeley to describe a few fossil plants (Cretaceous New Mexico), and I should have these descriptions done and published in Spring (after it matters to grad admissions). Should I hold off on applying for grad schools this round? I've already started the application process, but I could just as easily stop and wait for another year while I gain more tangible research benefits.