Evaluation for PhD in Atmospheric/Climate Science

[Ardesir_1995]

Hi everyone,

I recently graduated with a Masters in Atmospheric Science at nice university in my country. Here are my details:

Bachelors and Masters Institution: State University (Reputed but stringent marking system)

Major: Physics with Minors in  Chemistry and Mathematics

GPA (Bachelors): 61% - First Class Honors(4.0 according to WES, I have no idea how to convert appropriately, as there was no grading system or credits) 

Masters GPA: 5.126/6 (Strange grading, I know). Came top of my class though. A shocker.

Type of Student: International Asian Male

GRE : 158V,162Q AWA 4.5

TOEFL: 113/120

Research Experience:

Worked with a professor for my master's thesis at a good research institute in the country, although not in core meteorology.

Working with Antarctic aerosols and precipitation. Urban Air quality studies. Reanalysis data evaluation.

One paper submitted for review. Another in preparation.

LORs:

One from my thesis advisor. Two from my college professors (Masters, only took courses under them). Fourth option is a Research Scientist in the US (A postdoc) who knows my research abilities I guess. Is it a good option to ask for a LOR from the research scientist?

Schools I am thinking of applying to (Acc. to Shanghai Rankings for Atmospheric Sciences)

• UPrinceton
• UC Davis
• Penn State
• Texas A&M
• UWashington, Seattle
• UColorado Boulder
• Colorado State
• UMaryland, College Park
• URutgers
• UArizona
• Michigan, Ann Arbor
• SUNY Albany
• UWisconsin-Madison
• UIllinois, Urbana-Champaign
• MIT, COAS (Far-reaching I guess)
• George Mason (last resort)
• Iowa State University
• NC State, Rayleigh

I am not that outstanding compared to most applicants, but I research is the only way for me, and only US can provide it. The research experiences I had are something that I didn't choose by my own, but what I could hands on, as there are few opportunities here.

Please let me know if I am being too ambitious, or should I apply for some other universities, and omit some of these.

Thanks.