KayLouisa

Hi there! I wanted to post my stats and objectives. If anyone has feedback as to whether I should report my biology GRE score to schools where it states the score is "optional," let me know. I don't want to include something that might hurt my application. Also, I have a lot of teaching experience (a requirement for my current program), and most institutions care more about research than teaching, so if anyone has advice on how I can spin that aspect of my application to make it more relevant for my hopes to do research, I'm all ears! Undergrad Institution: Large Public State University in California, a research-based institution.Major(s): Animal Science (BS) and Animal Biology (MS)Minor(s): N/AGPA in Major: 3.6 (Undergraduate), 4.0 (Graduate)Overall GPA: 3.7 Cumulative (Undergrad), 4.0 (Graduate)Position in Class: Graduated with Honors from undergrad, so near top?Type of Student: Female, not a minority, domestic (US)GRE Scores (percentiles unknown for now):Q: 160V: 161W: Unknown for now, on previous exams I've scored 5.0.Biology Subject Test: 770 (79th %tile)Research Experience: No publications but currently drafting a manuscript. Worked in a research lab for 3 years in undergraduate, continued research in the same lab for my Master's degree. Work is related to the microbiome of an animal model. I've presented preliminary data at several research conferences, usually via poster.Awards/Honors/Recognitions: In undergrad, I received a departmental citation for good academic achievement just prior to graduating, and I graduated with honors. In my graduate program I've received one scholarship. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Currently a TA, and had a side job as adjunct faculty for a local community college this past year.Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: The class I currently TA for, and have TA-ed for in the past as well, is a molecular biology lab. So I have a lot of experience with molecular biology/genetics, because I've dealt had to trouble shoot just about every possible situation with students. Special Bonus Points: I've contacted several potential research professors at the institutions where I will be applying, and have heard back from several of them with seemingly positive feedback.Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: This will be my second time applying, my first application round didn't go as well as I'd hoped. So I decided to take another year for my Master's degree to really develop my research fully, do well in classes, and gain more experience teaching (because I wanted to be sure this is something I want for a career), and I'm hoping my work this past year will improve my application.Applying to Where: Washington University in St. Louis, Microbiology and Molecular PathogenesisUniversity of North Carolina, BBSPUniversity of Colorado, Denver - Microbiology Ph.D. Cornell University, Microbiology Ph.D. UCSD, Microbiology and Microbiome Sciences Stanford, Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology UCSF, BMS University of Washington, Microbiology University of Wisconsin-Madison, MDTP University of Chicago, Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology.