Hello guys! Could you please give me some advice on my list?
Undergrad Institution: Top University in ChinaMajor(s): Biomedical EngineeringMinor(s): GPA in Major: ~3.6 (not sure)Overall GPA: 3.60 (upward trend, last 60 credits: 3.87 using WES calculator)Position in Class: top 20%
Type of Student: International/Asian, MaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 170 (97%)
V: 157 (76%)
W: 3.0 (18%)
B: To take on Sep.15
Going to retake on Aug. 23, hopefully may get my Writing higher
TOEFL Total: 105 (R29 L29 S22 W25) To retake on Sep.8 mainly to improve the speaking part
Research Experience:
1 summer research (~3 months) in neurobiology at Harvard Medical School (should get a good LOR)
6 months undergraduate research related to neuroscience at my home institute
1 year undergrad research in mitochondria in the same lab at home institute
Have 2 review articles (one 3rd/6 author published, one 4th/6 accepted) although the journal is not so good.
If lucky enough, may be on a Science paper (surely not first author lol) prior to application submission.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
3 university-level awards
2 university-level scholarships
Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design 3rd prize
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
Physics tutor
Research assistant
Courses:
Undergrad biology (neurobiology, molecular cell biology, biophysics, etc.), chemistry, psychology
a LOT of math & physics
Applying to Where: Neuroscience programs, maybe also some cell biology and cancer programs
UCSD
UCLA
UPenn
Columbia
Duke
U of Washington
Weill Cornell
NYU Sackler
UChicago
UMich
Brown
UTsouthwestern
I know the competition in neuroscience could be very intense, especially for international students. I just skip the top schools like Harvard. Do you guys think I am still aiming too high? Any advice as to where to apply would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!