Microbio

I'm currently entering the second year of my PhD program in biomedical sciences. I do not plan to stay in academia for a career and I keep hearing more and more that a masters can actually be better for industry jobs. I'm looking for advice or resources to look for job outlook with a masters in biomedical science (microbiology), in science industry or in things not even relating to science. Also, Any advice on mastering out? Who were you able to talk to in your department to actually set that in motion? How "taboo" was it to deal with and did you face backlash after you decided on it? Any advice or resources would be very much appreciated!

I have just finished my first year of my PhD in biomedical sciences at a very prestigious university and I'm still really unhappy with the program. I did great in all my classes and rotations and I have joined a lab thats kind of a good fit, although has some issues (my other two rotations ended up not having the funding to take me so although this lab is good, it was not my first choice). I moved far away from my family and significant other to come to grad school and I just find myself really lonely here and unable to adjust to living in a big city. I am currently considering a few options - mastering out at the end of my second year and just looking for jobs (I've heard/seen theres a lot of industry jobs that are better for just a masters) or mastering out and reapplying/transferring for a PhD at my undergrad university which is closer to my friends and family and I'm much happier living in that city. I do not plan at all to stay in academia as a career. I feel like in academia it can be hard to justify this decision with being unhappy but my happiness hasn't improved over the course of the year and everytime I'm closer to my family I think about how much happier I am there. I just can't imagine being stuck in this city for another 4+ years by myself. Any advice on mastering out? Who were you able to talk to in your department to actually set that in motion? How "taboo" was it to deal with and did you face backlash after you decided on it? Also advice on transferring - how do you spin this type of situation to a new institution and how hard is it to get accepted as a "transfer" (although i understand I'd be starting from scratch in a new PhD)? Also advice on who to contact at the university I intend to transfer to?

I'm looking to apply to some top programs in microbiology columbia/penn/etc. My gpa is average at a 3.6 but I have a lot of research experience. I'm wondering if I should retake my gre - I got 159/159/4.5. I generally did better on the practice tests so I feel like a retake may benefit me - thoughts?

I will be applying to Immunology and Microbiology PhD programs. I have taken classes in these areas but my research is in physiology. Its a related area and basic research. I have several publication in this lab, have been there for 2.5 years, and have a given many presentations. Does it make me less competitive for my program since my undergrad research is in a slightly different field? If so, how much of a concern is this and would I be better off to do a post bac in a more related field before applying for my PhD.