Hey guys,
I just finished my applications and I am feeling a bit anxious. Obviously, like many of you, I really want to get into grad school and the thought of having to take another year off sounds pretty miserable. I recently finished my applications and I was just wondering if you guys think I have a decent chance of getting into my programs. I will be applying to doctorate programs in cellular/molecular biology (or similar programs depending on the location). I am from CA and really want to stay in CA so all of my schools are CA schools (luckily there are lots of them).
The schools I am applying to are
UC Berkeley
UC Los Angeles
UC Santa Barbara
UC Irvine
UC Riverside
Scripps Research Institute
Anyways,
My UG GPA was 3.2 overall (but 3.4 my Jr/Sr year). I got a 160/156/4.0 on the GRE and didn't take the subject test. I come from a smaller school that isn't super well known for science.
I do have 3 years of undergrad research experience. During those 3 years I received a grant in my name, presented at multiple conferences (3 posters at UG conferences, 1 ASM poster, 1 oral at UG conference), and was received awards for one of my UG posters and my UG oral. I have one first author manuscript published in a peer reviewed (but not well known) journal.
I graduated in 2014, and a month after graduating I got a research assistant position in industry. Because of this I have over a year of experience post- undergrad research in industry (however not much in the way of manuscripts or presentations to show for it, most of my work was internal R&D that is hard to really demonstrate to the people reviewing my application).
I also have 4 LOR (1 from my current boss/PI, 1 from my UG PI, and 2 from professors who knew me really well, both actually encouraged me to pursue grad school). I would expect all 4 letters of rec to be very good.
I know I applied to some really good schools, but do you guys think I have a decent chance of at least getting an interview or two? I just keep worrying that my low GPA and lack of anything to show for my gap year (other than that I held a research job) are really going to hurt me.
Thanks guys!
