How am I looking?

[Josh70]

So I am pretty nervous just took GRE and I did ok at best. So I am wondering how my application is looking and any tips or advice people would have.

So I am applying for a mix of biology and molecular biology PhD programs. My top 3 schools are University of Wyoming, Portland State University, and Utah State University.

My GPA is kind of odd I started school at a community college and got most my generals done there and then transferred to a university and first 2 semesters didn't do great since took organic chemistry 1 and 2 and calculus 1 and 2 all together. I passed everything but my GPA sucked for a while but I have been building it back up.

GPA at CC 3.9 current GPA at university 3.3 with last year and a half 3.5 GPA so I am not sure how really combine GPA between CC and university.

GRE scores are estimated 670-770 Q and 510-610 V

I have all 3 LOR two are stellar one the teacher is pretty much letting me write the letter and other the teacher really likes me. The third right now is from a hospital I worked at and is from the pharmacy director at the hospital. He will right me a very good letter but it's not completely academic.

I think I will be able to write a pretty good SOP but I only have a little bit of research experience. 1 semester working with mitochondria proteins and currently working on a phylogeny project. I will be working on this until I graduate in the spring. I am also going to be presenting my research at NCUR so hopefully that looks good. I have also worked as a pharmacy technician for the past 4 years with a lot of clinical work so hopefully that helps for something.

I am really worried about my application because I am pretty much meh at everything, I don't think I really have anything that is horrible but nothing that really stands out either.

Right now I am trying to improve my application by getting my current research professor to write me a LOR instead of non academic letter. I have also been told by adviser it might be a good idea to try and include a bit of diversity/hardship in my SOP because I grew up in foster homes and had an interesting upbringing. I really don't know if it would be worth it though because I feel it is just trying to get pity so wonder what others think about including items like that in SOP.

Sorry about being so long but thank you for reading and any feedback, criticism or advice/tips would be appreciated.

[Faraday]

Well the first step is to be confident about yourself and your applications, but not cocky. There is a fine line between those two. Second, because you said it seems as if most of your application is "meh" as you put it, you need to make your SOP outstanding and grab the attention of the admissions committees at the schools you are applying to.

A google search will do wonders with this, as well as looking around on this website but here is one quick link I found:

http://ogsrweb2.ucsd.edu/admissions/application/statement/

Notice how there really is not an area where this guide asks you to talk about your personal circumstances as you mentioned, however that does not mean you can't use them. Maybe mention them in passing as a way of talking about how you got introduced to and became a part of the Biology work you know today. Anything that is unique will also help you.

A good letter of recommendation will also mention how you as an applicant can fit into the respective departments. A lot of what the admissions committee is looking for is if you will be a good fit for their program, so if you can make a convincing case of that yourself then you already have one foot in the door. Good luck!

[Josh70]

Thank you for the feedback, advice and link. I think I can really make my SOP stand out since I really do have a passion for biology and I guess it really might be what makes or breaks my application.

[ultrathick]

Josh, have you heard anything from these schools yet? I am also applying to three of these schools and havent heard anything yet.

[Josh70]

Sorry about delayed response been super busy. I got accepted to Utah state and Wyoming and rejected by portland. I have decided to go to Wyoming.

[virion]

Congrats!

[ultrathick]

Hey Josh, I am also accepted to Woming and Utah State. I am having a hard time deciding between these two. I like wyoming in summer but it has nasty weather nine months in a year. I will see you if I decide to go to Wyoming.