Walfred

For emory and Upenn, although I am applying for comp biol, I think they have already interviewed most bio programs. Hope they'll have make-up interviews, but very very unlikely...good luck for your UChicago and Scripps though....
 
Also, they are all very competitive programs...although I believe you are definitely competitive too and at least have some self-confidence....it is highly not recommended for internationals just applying for those very competitive programs because each of them only accepts very few internationals (mostly 1-2)....you probably need some safe schools like CU Denver, UCSC, UThealth-MDAnderson those very good but less well-known programs. Emory might be a good safe if you are good enough, but one safe will not actually make you really safe since you never know where those top internationals are applying for and if programs already have applicants with strong connections they have to say yes.

I feel like internationals should not expect any school is guaranteed or safe if you do not have a strong connection. Most programs probably pick only 1-2 internationals to give offers, which are very likely their own students, so couple applicants who are extremely competitive or have connections will screw you out. 

I feel like internationals should not expect any school is guaranteed or safe if you do not have a strong connection. Most programs probably pick only 1-2 internationals to give offers, which are very likely their own students, so couple applicants who are extremely competitive or have connections will screw you out. 

I feel like internationals should not expect any school is guaranteed or safe if you do not have a strong connection. Most programs probably pick only 1-2 internationals to give offers, which are very likely their own students, so couple applicants who are extremely competitive or have connections will screw you out. 

It is very hard for international applicants to be accepted by top rank institutions in Biomedical fields without publication or exceptional shining recommendation. 
Stanford bioscience receives around 1000 international applicants all programs add up each year, about 10% has decent grades, recommendations, and publications vs Less than 10 will be granted an offer. 

international bioinformatics student here, but I am applying phd
if you have 3.5-3.6 from top universities, should be fine. And you need a computational background for bioinfor. Maybe get a full score for you gre quant ? Otherwise recommend apply wet lab. 
 

Normal interviews are before Mid-Jan. But if they have make-up interview or later section, you can still get after that. But yes, most of them should come before feb because programs try to give you one month to prepare for and try to give results out before March. 

It is very hard for international applicants to be accepted by top rank institutions in Biomedical fields without publication or exceptional shining recommendation. 
Stanford bioscience receives around 1000 international applicants all programs add up each year, about 10% has decent grades, recommendations, and publications vs Less than 10 will be granted an offer. 

If you have your own self-named grant or your senate father is willing to give you a strong recommendation 

If you have your own self-named grant or your senate father is willing to give you a strong recommendation 

If you have your own self-named grant or your senate father is willing to give you a strong recommendation