BME PhD

[Sara_Rachel]

I have a BEng in Biotechnology (similar to a BIochemical engineering) with a GPA of 3.9 from an India (graduate in top 10% of my class). Now I am beginning a 1 yr MSc in Medical Imaging at University College London (Sept 2011 to Sept 2012). I have a good GRE score (Q=800, V=800, A=4.0) although I know anything above 1450 is considered almost equal. I have almost 1 yr research ex in undergrad with no publication. Also I worked for 2 months in a national lab on Southern Hybridization. And I'll get another 6 month of research ex at UCL where my project will begin in March 2012 and hence, it wont be of much use if I apply in Nov 2011.

I know the competition for International candidates is fierce. So, I cannot dare apply in univs like UCSD or Yale or even in WashU or Rice. I am thinking of applying to UC Davis, Arizona State University, USC, U Texas - Southwestern Medical Center Dallas. I am interested in working in a Medical imaging lab however my undergrad courses make me a stronger candidate for Cellular and molecular imaging as I had courses in Mol BIo, Cell Bio, Biochem, Bioanalytical Techniques, Concepts in Biotechnology etc.

UC Davis seems to a good option as they have labs in only three areas : Biomedical imaging, cellular and molecular systems and bioinformatics and I had one semester each of modelling and simulation of biomolecular processes and bioinfo in udergrad and my MSc will be focused on med imaging.

What other universities should I apply to? Am I right in thinking that I'll have a better chance if I apply to courses which have more labs in medical imaging than in other sub-fields of bioengineering. Which other universities focus on medical imaging (and are not top ranking universities)?