Dapi

I said for you to be competitive (aka get into) top programs you need good lab experience in a field you are interested in. Try to find a job at a good school in a field you like, and where the PI will let you do your own research and not just wash glassware or something.

Does postbac require classes (I'd say don't then)? Which is the better lab? Which one will allow you to conduct independent research? Moving is easy, just focus on finding a lab that does work that inspires you!

Lab experience. You can learn coding in grad school/ teach yourself (online courses like Harvard's CS50 too). You need to get at least two years of teching in before being competitive at top programs. You need to apply to labs and beg them to work you like a grad student (60+ hrs week). No post-bac needed. I'd apply directly to neurobio programs and then work in a comp neuro lab. No one cares what your phd is officially in, just your advisor and your research. You are young, so really don't rush into the phd, def. find a tech position and the best school you can.

When I interviewed it was mostly "tell me about your research." Then they would tell me about theirs. Being able to highlight exactly how you intellectually contributed to a project is important - anyone can teach you techniques. Best of luck to you all! Don't forget you are interviewing the program too

I wouldn't stress about it - I had similar GRE and GPA, great LOR's, and lots of research experience, and I got into stanford, harvard, etc. If your PI says your aiming correctly, trust them! good luck!

Hey SOD - I had a similar story (bad first year). Your letters of recommendation, publications, and your competence in a lab and then writing/speaking about it matter far more than gpa/GRE. I was admitted to top programs, so I know I can speak about gpa . Good luck

If your doing good research in a good lab, that is what is important. Otherwise, LORs carry a ton of weight, so does research experience, and a strong personal statement. If you can get published that will help you greatly. If you can wait to start grad school until you are published, you can go anywhere you listed - and without a publication, you likely will still end up where you listed if you have truly done research for 3.5 years full time. I was accepted to schools you listed, so feel free to PM me if you want to talk more about programs in mol bio.

Honesty, at least 2 of us who got into Harvard this year had "crap" gpa's. Apply anywhere you would want to go disregarding from rank. You'll never know unless you apply! And yes, take ochem 2 - most schools require a year of ochem. Don't spend money on a masters, put that to use now and get a tutor! Good luck. Research experience, strong LORs and a good statement will carry you much farther than gpa/GRE scores.

See you in the fall!!!

From the posts above, I'd go to UCSF. Brown will always be there, and maybe his lab would be a perfect post-doc situation for you. Good luck!

If you ultimately want to live/work in The US, then I would come here. I don't know the ME reputation of Columbia, but in general, yes, a name does count especially if you want to go into consulting. Congrats on your acceptance. New York city is a great place to live and study.