Transferring PhD vs Working as a tech

[lqdc]

Hello,

I couldn't find a forum that is more appropriate.

Anyway, I need some advice. I am working as a technician in a school that has a good biochemistry program but no bioinformatics program. I hate working as a technician here mostly because the PI treats me as a slave, but I can put up with it for a year. I did not have the best grades (GPA of 3.3), but I can get into the biochemistry program in the school I am working in if I applied this Fall. I am interested in bioinformatics, but I can't get into good schools that offer the program at this point because of the bad GPA. However, I have good GREs and probably good LORs and 2+ years of research with a presentation, but no publication. Additionally, I can take 1 graduate class a semester as a technician.

So the question is:

Is it best to be a slave for 2 years or apply to the biochem program in the current university now and get in after 1 year and try to transfer out?

If it is of any help, the school I want to be in at the end is Minnesota.

I heard it's a bad Idea to transfer PhD programs, but it may be possible since they don't offer the program I am interested in (only 3 bioinformatics professors with no bioinformatics classes).

Thanks for any help.

[cogneuroforfun]

Do not plan on transferring PhD programs. It is only very rarely possible (like when your PI moves to a new university). If you want to be at Minnesota, apply there and work at improving your application if you don't get in. However, it is pretty unrealistic to only apply to one program, so you should really open up your options quite a bit more.

[MeanderingPhD]

A 3.3 GPA isn't that bad. I had similar and got in to a top 10 program for my master's and am now in a PhD program. As long as your recommendations are good and the other components of your application are good, I wouldn't worry about the GPA.

[lqdc]

Thanks, guys