Undergrad Institution: R1 University, Ranked TOP5 in Microbiology, TOP30 overall Major(s): B.S., Microbiology and B.S., Molecular Biology Minor(s): na GPA in Major: 3.74 Overall GPA: 3.80 Position in Class: Not sure Type of Student: Permanent Resident, Asian male
GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 168(94th)
V: 153(61th)
W: 4.5(82nd)
B: not going to take
Research Experience:
3 years of research* (by the time of graduation) as undergraduate researcher at a great and well-funded Microbiology lab in home institution.
2 summer research at the same lab with full-time employment.
1 publication at work, projected to be submitted to Cell/Nature, potentially 2nd author.
1 lab meeting.(not on CV)
*: spend ~6 to 7hrs per day in lab on average, including weekends and holidays or breaks. Not sure if this info matters.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions:
Dean’s List for all quarters, Annual Dean’s List for all 3 years so far.
Tuition Exemption for the coming year.
Department Honors
Department Research Award
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: na because I spend all the time in lab lol...
Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:
Some awards and honors I got from high school that are related to biomedical projects. Not hard-core research so not sure if I should put them on CV
Special Bonus Points:
The paper in process will be GREAT.
My lab has a lot of interdisciplinary experiments so I have learned a wide range of skills
Great, well-awarded PI who actually cares a lot about undergrads. The lab has a lot of papers in top journals and the frequency of publication is also good.
1 good LOR, 2 great LOR
Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
Received need-based grants from government and university to cover my tuition since Sophomore year; paying all of my financial expenses by myself through grants, student loan, or salary from summer.
Applying to Where:
MIT - Microbiology
UC Berkeley - Microbiology
Cornell University- Microbiology
University of Michigan - Microbiology
University of Washington - MCB
UNC Chapel Hill - Microbiology
UW-Madison - Microbiology
Thinking: other High to mid tier Microbiology programs that I am not aware of; suggestions are welcome!
My interests are mainly molecular/bacterial pathogenesis and host-microbiome interactions. I am well aware that my list is sort of top-heavy, but most of the schools on the list are the ones that I really liked. If I get rejected by all of them I would probably go do some postbac and then re-apply again. Nonetheless, I am worried about my chances of being accepted by these programs. Any tips or advises will be appreciated. Thanks a lot!