Hi all, I'm new here. Just starting to (seriously) make a list of schools I want to apply to, and I am looking for suggestions/advice!
I'm looking to enter a PhD program in fall of 2017. Mostly interested in microbiology and infectious disease, but also some interest in virology, immunology, and cancer biology. Since I'm not super sure about what topic I'd like to research, an umbrella-type program that would let me have diversity in my first-year rotations would be nice.
Undergrad Institution: Medium sized public school, very strong bio research but average otherwise Major(s): Biology Minor(s): Chemistry GPA in Major: 3.869 Overall GPA: 3.889 Position in Class: Most likely top 10% Type of Student: Asian female GRE Scores: Not taken yet (currently studying!) Research Experience:
Currently an Amgen scholar, working on UTIs.
Also currently 2 years in pancreatic cancer lab at hospital affiliated with home university.
1 year working with yeast and transcription regulation, but mostly though being a UTA.
1 year freshman year working with respiratory pathogens.
Concerns: no publications or major presentations. Although I think my lab experiences are of substance, it's not spectacular; I have breadth but not depth, I guess. Hopefully my summer research will help in this regard...
Also interested in teaching. I've had 3 UTA positions and worked as a TA for a research program for high schoolers last summer.
Current potential schools list:
Harvard, MIT, Stanford
UCB, UCLA, UCSF
JHU, WUSTL, UPenn, Wisconsin-Madison, Michigan Ann Arbor, University of Washington, Baylor, Pitt
Tufts, BU
Definitely NOT applying to all of the above, just a list of schools I'm considering. Compiled mainly from rankings lists...
In terms of living, I come from a small city and would like to be in a similar environment for grad school. So no NYC, but also don't want the campus to be the only thing around for miles.
I'm also interested in applying to schools near Boston, since my SO will be going to law school there. Not a strict requirement, since we are not 100% sure if we want to stay together through grad school. The plan is to apply anywhere and decide later.
All suggestions welcome, from school names to advice on how to look for schools/programs!