paxboyo

Hi All, Would seriously appreciate comments, particularly from students enrolled in the 3, on my chances with or without financial aid. My Profile: BS from accredited school outside US BS US-equivalent GPA 3.6/4.0 MS from a US top ten school in EE MS GPA 4.0/4.0 (more graduate level courses than required for masters) 6-7 conference papers in good/accredited conferences in bio-optics GRE: Q800 V560 AW4/6 More than six months internship experience in a good biotech company in bay area Oh and two questions, Is it usually the case that profs from Stanford and Cal refuse to talk to you about the possibility of hiring you if you are not already enrolled/admitted in the school? I have tried talking to some profs at Stan/Cal and all I have heard has been rude comments basically saying "don't waste my time if you are not enrolled here". I am only asking because this is totally not the case in my current school. How much do recom letters count? My experience with grad school admission back when I was an undergrad has been that recoms/SOPs just have to be there but they are not what breaks it or makes it. thanks, paxboyo