2019 Applications: Neuroscience Msc/PhD (Profiles &Stats)

[mabelgoestophd]

Undergrad Institution: Best in Kazakhstan (US type of system, taught in English)
Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): Computer Science
GPA in Major: ~3.7
Overall GPA: 3.33 (will be higher hopefully, by Nov)
Position in Class: average
Type of Student: International, female, minority (Asian)

GRE Scores (revised): not taken yet, but practice ~160 
Q:
V:
W:
B:


IELTS: ~ 8 (take soon)

Research Experience: Molecular Biology Lab Technical work for 1 year > no publications (ongoing big project)

Going to start BCI research this semester, review paper in the making

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's list several times

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: private tutoring for SATs

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Special Bonus Points: I'm auditing Master's level robotics class? (can be mentioned on transcript)

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:
took Computer Science classes, participated in Mobile Application Development Incubator, interested in neuroengineering or research related to technology within neuroscience (any Lab suggestions are welcome) 

Applying to Where: Neuroscience (where there's also engineering involved in research)

University of Pittsburgh
UCSD (how many international students they accept?)
Rochester,  Emory 

Not Sure:

University of Washington, Northwestern, MIT, WUSTL, UPenn, Boston University

Brandeis, Mount Sinai, Baylor, UMich

What are my chances? I feel like compared to other candidates my application is flat, no glowing LORs (I will be lucky if they will be ok), average GPA, no research. Should I take a gap year and not even try? Is it better to go to Master's somewhere in Europe or apply for RA job in US, or do I maybe have chances to get into MSc in US? If you send GRE scores 1 time, would they still have them next year?

[BabyScientist]

I recommend posting this in the biology forum where there are specific posts for this already.