wow this is terrifying but here goes, I've tried to include as much information I can about myself for context. I'm definitely very insecure about my app, as I am trying to go straight from undergrad, so would appreciate some insight!
Undergrad Institution: UCSDMajor(s): Molecular BiologyMinor(s): BusinessGPA in Major: 3.63 (I know this is on the lower side, but its because I had average grades my first two years. All of my upper-division classes (not including chem, ochem, etc) have been A's)Overall GPA: 3.72Position in Class: Top 5-10%Type of Student: Domestic Asian femaleGRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 159 (73rd)V: 165 (96th)W: 5 (93rd)B: taking in Sept hopefully, but should I?Research Experience:
I've been working in one cellular signaling lab since I was a freshman (~3 years for 20 hrs/week, including 1 summer under a scholarship). Potentially 3rd author on a paper (it's about to go in for review) and 3 poster presentations (one for my division, the others at Harvard and Stanford). My lab kind of does everything, I have been extensively trained in CRISPR/Cas9, RNAi, some mouse work, tissue culture, protein stuff, the list goes on. I'm currently a summer research intern at a medium-size biotech doing synthetic bio and gene expression. In the past, I've presented at the EB conference twice as well under a different research group that does protein modeling (but this was wayy back a bit before undergrad).
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
Undergrad research scholarship (for 1 summer)
A leadership scholarship (from my university)
Placed 3rd in a biotechnology case consulting competition
Provost Honors multiple quarters
Finalist for an Academe Award through my university for championing freedom of speech
Helped the on-campus student philanthropy organization win the UC President's Award for Outstanding Student Leadership
Pertinent Activities or Jobs:
• Currently working as a research intern at a mid-size biotech firm, I've planned my own project and am completing two other projects
• Will TA for a molecular biology class, also am teaching a high school course on genetics
• Editor-in-Chief of an interdisciplinary research journal and a Research Editor for a different biology-focused research journal
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
• Co-Founder and External Affairs Coordinator of an NGO based in India that provides business opportunities and entrepreneurial skills to the transgender population (we have been recognized through the Clinton Global Initiative University)
• Student Manager and Accountant at the campus's food cooperative
• Member of BSSA, ISPE, the Library Advisory Council (totally random I know)
• I also was Finance Director for TEDxUCSD and a trustee for our philanthropy organization
• Will be pursuing a senior honors thesis
Special Bonus Points: (Such as connections, grad classes, famous recommenders, female or minority status etc...)
• Applying to NSF, Hertz, and Ford fellowships (trying to avoid DoD for personal reasons)
• Strong interviewer and SOP writer
• Can guarantee 2 strong LORs from my university PI and internship supervisor, as well as a very excellent recommendation from the Professor I took a class and TA'd for. I am a little worried that my internship supervisor will not be taken seriously since he isn't in academia, but any other LOR I can get will be much weaker than his.
Applying to Where:
I'm still trying to figure out the exact programs I would like to apply to, but for now I'm looking at schools with a strong biotech environment or with funding through the Biotech Training Program with translational molecular biology research. I'm also interested in immunology (specifically autoimmunity as both of my parents and myself suffer from rather serious autoimmune diseases), and I have a liittle experience in the area through my lab but definitely not much.
UCSD- BMS
UCSF- TETRAD
UC Berkeley- MCB
Stanford- Biosciences
Northwestern- LaBS
University of Washington- MCB
UC Davis- BMCDB
UNC Chapel Hill- BBSP
Stony Brook- MCB
Currently a toss-up between UMass Amherst and UMich, both of which have excellent faculty I want to work with.
Would greatly appreciate thoughts and suggestions, thanks!