parsnip06

This is tricky. I was facing a similar decision and just recently chose UCSF over Yale. The best advice I got was to go where you feel most comfortable. UCSF had a friendly, open vibe that I did not get on the east coast. There's something to be said for leaving home, but you can always do that for your postdoc/job after grad school. At the end of the day though you're likely going to succeed wherever you go! You've already been accepted to both schools, so don't let self doubt get you down! Happy to chat over DM, too!

Undergrad Institution: State flagship school, R1 researchMajor(s): Biology, cell/molecularMinor(s): Chemistry, musicGPA in Major: 3.99Overall GPA: 3.993Position in Class: Top 5% Magna Cum LaudeType of Student: Domestic white femaleGRE Scores:Q: 161V: 164W: 4.5B: Not takingResearch Experience: 2 years in current cell biology lab, including 1 gap year full time as lab manager. 1 summer NIH internship program in immunology lab, 1 previous semester in undergraduate intro-to-research program in a biochem lab. 1 3rd author publication in submission process. Upcoming poster at ASCB meeting.Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 8 semesters on the Dean's list, 4 yrs full ride scholarship from university, Biology department scholarship, private undergraduate research fellowshipPertinent Activities or Jobs: 4 semesters cell biology TA, 1 semester biological diversity TA, organized undergrad journal club course for evolutionary health interest groupAny Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: Lots of extracurricular music activities, but not very relevantSpecial Bonus Points: female from extremely religious/conservative area; not much exposure to science before collegeAny Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Was premed until third bout of cancer this year and I realized all I want to do is bench science. Debating if/how this needs to show up in my personal statement. Applying to Where: UW MCB and biology UCSF Tetrad Oregon IMB (maybe) Michigan MCDB Berkeley MCB University of Rochester MCDB Dartmouth MCB Brown MCB Yale BBS What do you think? Probably need more safety schools and fewer top tier schools, I know. Looking for mid-tier schools with strong research in RNA and/or membrane trafficking. Suggestions?