paxillaris

I just faced a similar dilemma of choosing between a top program in a less-than-ideal location vs. a less highly-ranked (but still very good) program in a city I liked better. I ended up going with the less prestigious option because all my advisors that I talked to said that once you get to this level of institution, it just comes down to individual fit and where you feel you'd be the most successful. How well you think you'd get along with the PIs and the students at a school is the most important thing (and is why I ultimately chose the lower-ranked school), but location also plays a big part. I really didn't want to be stuck somewhere I wouldn't like for 5+ years, especially since that'd pretty much take up the rest of my twenties. I don't think you'd go wrong with Columbia if you really feel like you'd be happier there. Even if Harvard is slightly more highly-ranked, both institutions are still very well-known and well-funded, so I don't think there'd be a huge difference in your experiences just based on prestige. I also interviewed at CUMC and got the impression that the program had a good relationship with industry, since a good chunk of their alumni ended up there. You may have a better idea about this since you actually work there, though, and I don't know much about Harvard's connections other than they're probably very good as well. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with your decision!

Thanks for all the advice! I was worried that my experience might be a little average for the more competitive programs (and in such different fields too), but it's reassuring to hear from someone with a similar background.

Nervous about applying for the first time this cycle and would appreciate any feedback on how competitive I'd be for my programs of interest! I’m interested in studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of how organisms interact with their environment. Undergrad Institution: Top public research university in my state Major(s): Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology GPA in Major: 4.0 Overall GPA: 3.99 Position in Class: Top 1% Type of Student: Domestic Asian female GRE Scores (revised version): Q: 162 (82%) V: 166 (97%) W: 5.5 (98%) B: - Research Experience: 2 years as an undergrad/postbac researcher in a plant biology lab, publication should hopefully be submitted soon (2nd out of 5 authors), did a talk for it at my school’s undergraduate research conference, wrote an honors paper 1 year as a lab tech in a virology lab (current job) Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Departmental honors, dean’s list throughout college, graduated summa cum laude, a few scholarships Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Wrote/edited for an undergraduate science magazine for 2 years (and got a cover story, for what that’s worth) Not sure if relevant at all, but worked as a lab assistant in a clinical histology lab for 4 summers Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Letters of rec coming from my PIs and a professor who I took two classes with and is also a co-author on the paper I’m on Also not sure if this makes any difference, but finished undergrad in 3 years Applying to Where: Currently looking at these programs (hoping to apply to 6 max): Columbia Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies NYU Biology UC Berkeley Plant & Microbial Biology UCLA Graduate Programs in Bioscience University of Washington Biology Debating between Stanford (probably more of a reach) or University of British Columbia... open to other suggestions though Aside from feedback on my list of programs, I have a few specific questions that I’d appreciate any answers to: How specific do I have to be about my research interests in my statement of purpose? When looking at labs I’d be interested in working in, I’ve found that my interests encompass genetic/molecular approaches to sensory biology, host-pathogen interactions, and ecophysiology… which I think all technically fall under “genetic and molecular mechanisms of how organisms interact with their environment.” I can tie these interests to my past research experiences, but I’m concerned about being too broad. Should I try to narrow it down more? For what it’s worth, I’m applying to mainly umbrella programs that I chose for their breadth of faculty, since I'd like the opportunity to do interdisciplinary work. How much should system of study factor into deciding on if a lab would be a good fit? I have the most experience working with plant models, but also have insect and mammalian experience, and the labs I’m interested in cover a wide range of models as well. How many PIs per institution should I contact before applying? Currently have at least 3 PIs per school whose work I find interesting. Thanks!!