alienacid

I see lots of you are studying the humanities, but how reputable is U of T for the biological sciences? I'm from the USA btw

I also wanted to write that for the first 3 years of my college I was in a clinical major with very similar courses... thats basically why I don't have alot of research exp... if I write about that, will it be less of an issue?

Thank you guys for your advice, they were similar to the options I was considering. I did retake O Chem and did decent in it... maybe if I don't get into school this year I won't graduate and will retake classes. Getting a Master's did seem counterproductive to me, thanks for elucidating why. I knew Stanford and Yale weren't quite in my league with my current credentials, but if anyone could recommend me some schools with decent programs and funding I would REALLY appreciate it. Right now I'm trying to do any kind of research I can over the summer to strengthen my LORs. I MIGHT have an in over the summer with a pretty renowned researcher. I think the decision of whether I apply for PhD programs at the end of this year is dependent on whether I do research this summer or not. As far as to why I want to get a PhD, that's easy, I'm seriously in love with the field and thoroughly fascinated by it. As a matter of fact I was studying towards a clinical position previously in my college career but one prof/class totally opened up the potential of the field to me (Will sound very cliched in a personal statement though...) I aspire to be a prof, or to open my own lab one day. Another question I have... let's say I do end up getting some research exp this summer, as well as the fall, and apply to all the schools I want, but don't get into any. If I apply again next cycle, will it hurt my chances of getting in since they see I've already tried once?

I might as well also add my research interests - regulation of gene expression and its role in various diseases ie cancer (what my research will be concerning) and epigenetic modifications like methylation. and some other things. oh and I am female... maybe that will give me a little bit of an edge.

does anyone know if this program is any good?

I really want to get a PhD in molecular biology, I am not sure how to go about it though. when I apply at the end of this year, my GPA is probably going to be within the 3.25-3.3 range, I wish I had more time to bring it up I know it's low but throughout my career it has gotten better and better, 3.74 GPA last semester and something similar this semester, I have some impressive grades in the biological sciences but due to family illness I flunked o chem 1 the 1st time... i am in the biological honor society. I am going to do some research this fall but besides that I haven't done any, I have worked a part time job since high school to pay for college. I think I'll probably be able to get some good recommendation letters and I'm starting to study for the GRE, and the bio subject test, now. is this unrealistic? bestow upon me your honesty.