PHD BME advice.

[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 Minnesota. 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)? I have shortlisted around 30 univs and now I'll be sending mails to the PIs there. Hope to get a response from somewhere.

[Strangefox]

First off, your stats are great. You have research experience, which is important. So your application will be competitive, whether you are an international student or not. I believe that chances for international (any out-of-state students) and in-state students are pretty much equal. I've read some old threads here, where people were discussing that and, as far as I remember, they wrote that there are states where it might matter if you are out-of-state or in-state, one of these states being California. In fact, they mentioned only California in the thread I am talking about because schools have bigger difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition there and sometimes they just can't afford taking more than 1 or 2 out-of state students with a TA, thus waiving their tuitions (because it is too much for schools to pay). At least that is how I remember the discussion of this issue.

But in most schools you will have as much chances as any American applicant will. I would recommend to look first of all at fit with schools you want to apply to. You can contact professors there and ask if they would be interested to have you in their lab. Don't cross schools off your list without even reading about their programs and professors. It would not be a good idea to apply only to the most competitive schools but not appying to any of them is not a very good idea either.

...Now I've read that you had already sent letter to profs. That is great! I hope you will get positive responses. Good luck!

[Sara_Rachel]

No professor is replying to my emails..Is this time busy for the proffs?

[ktel]

No professor is replying to my emails..Is this time busy for the proffs?

A lot of profs take long summer vacations.

[Sara_Rachel]

i guess.. I am getting some replies from the recent emails I sent. Is it a good idea to resend emails I sent two weeks back? Or should I wait some more. I still have to cover around 15 more univs (sent to 8 until now).