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Hey Everyone, I was wondering about my chances applying to a PhD program in Biology or Computational/Systems Biology. I was admitted to a single Genetics PhD program last application cycle, and deferred it due to mental health issues I was having (before the pandemic hit). I really like the program, and it would probably afford me some ability to work with PIs outside the department, but not very many faculty are doing much work that I am interested in. I have been working since graduating at a large biotech firm, and have been exposed to interesting work being done outside of the study of DNA expression and genetics. In addition, I have realized that my interest has shifted from solely being interested in the study of living systems, but also in the human application of that knowledge. I am thinking of reapplying to a few reach schools that I didn't apply to last cycle in Computational Biology and Bioengineering, and I have no idea if I should apply to them, or apply to a Master's program instead? Undergrad Institution: Small Private R2 (graduated. Dec. 2019 - took 4.5 years) Major(s): Biology Minor(s): Computer Science GPA in Major: 3.42, (3.8 in minor) Overall GPA: 3.30 Type of Student: Domestic GRE Scores: Q: 162 V: 167 W: 5.0 Research Experience: 4.5 years in same research group at undergrad university writing simulation and visualization software of DNA microarray data, 1 REU at Nebraska making mathematical models of neuronal metabolism pathways, 1 REU at UCSD making mathematical models of the mechanisms of a novel drug compound, currently research associate at a major biotech company since Jan. 2020, and have since been placed in charge of our automation initiative and am the second lead of our data science team Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Athletic Director's academic achievement list (2 semesters), Deans List a couple other times, 1 publication (last author), 1 poster at national conference, 3 at regional conferences, 1 best poster award from regional conference Pertinent Activities or Jobs: D1 Athlete (first 1.5 years), Professional Development Coordinator in fraternity, worked 2 (part-time) jobs during college, during summer internship developed a currently-used biology curriculum for one of the largest zoos in the world, wrote and researched for school's debate team, studied abroad LOR: (confident in how good these will be) both PIs of joint lab at undergrad institution, 1 available from humanities professor, 1 possible from VP of R&D at current company Bonus Info: I had my GPA dip significantly for the first two years of college (3.2) because of my athletic commitments and also because of my (at the time) undiagnosed mental health issues and ADD. I never got it back up to where I know it could have been, but it improved since, and in my minor, I excelled. I'm also just terrible at doing homework, but as both my PIs and the VP (will) probably wrote, my work ethic in the research is pretty exceptional. Applying to Where: UCLA Bioinformatics, Columbia Systems Bio, Berkeley CompBio, Stanford BMI Potential Master's: the same schools but Master's programs Any help would be much appreciated. I don't feel like my path forward is very clear cut, and before I make any decisions on what to do I would love to hear any words that anyone has to say.