Avg. GRE/GPA for Virology Programs?

[jd921]

Hi everyone, I'll be applying this Fall 2012 for PhD programs, looking for Virology but I'm going to focus on molecular bio/immunology also since most programs don't have a designated Virology unit.

Does anyone know where I can find some avg. GRE/GPA stats for students accepted to some of these programs? I'm looking at:

Safety/Backup: OHSU

Competitive: University of Washington

Reach: UCSF, Harvard, etc.

My stats:

GRE - 560V/670Q/5.0

GPA - 3.36

Exp - 2 years Research Assistant in a major Virology lab, no papers yet but one (as a co-author) going to be submitted soon.

Any other major programs that have a good amount of Virology research going on that you could recommend? Thanks!

[virion]

UPenn, WashU, University of Pittsburgh, UC Irvine, BU, Madison, plenty of others.

I just went through the application with the same area of interest (as you might guess by my handle). Most programs I applied to were interdisciplinary, sometimes with an option for virology focus/sub program type thing. Usually not virology specifically. BU's micro program is small, but has virologists who are all working on fascinating things. It was crazy tough to turn that one down, having decided on Pitt, and quite happy with that (take a look at their MVM program maybe).

As far as how competitive your stats are, the GPA likely depends on your institution, but it shouldn't keep you out of anywhere if everything else is good. I would consider retaking the GRE just because it can sometimes get you weeded out. I asked why my University of Washington application was rejected, and was told it was a score cutoff thing (730Q/640V GPA 3.53, though from a not so stellar school). Make sure you look at both the micro and cmb type programs at schools. One or the other may be better for virology at any given school (University of Washington has basically everyone in both programs, though). As far as how crucial your scores are I also think we micro people have it slightly easier than many applying for immuno/neuro programs. They tended to have better scores I feel, having met plenty at the interdisciplinary program interviews.

And I've got several years of research exp in virology labs as well, same location you've got listed. Any chance you're at OHSU?

[jayeyesee]

as virion said.. pretty sure you're going to need to get your GRE scores up to be competitive for UW. They do seem to be numbers focused compared to other top programs.

[virion]

jayeyesee - you had the same result from UW if I recall? Congrats on Stanford! I know someone (a fellow virologist) who was rejected from UW but accepted at Stanford and Harvard two years ago. Scores are not something to take lightly when it comes to their programs.

[jd921]

Thanks for the info! I didn't know UW was such a stickler for GRE scores...but with my lower gpa (from an avg. state school, nothing special haha) I need all the help I can get I think. I'm mostly banking on my LoR's, research exp. and personal statement making more of an impact that my 2 numbers...just getting through the initial screening is my worry.

@Virion Yup I'm at OHSU, not too many other Virology opportunities in Oregon haha.

[jayeyesee]

jayeyesee - you had the same result from UW if I recall? Congrats on Stanford! I know someone (a fellow virologist) who was rejected from UW but accepted at Stanford and Harvard two years ago. Scores are not something to take lightly when it comes to their programs.

Yep, same result. Sucks too because my PI is a huge fan of UW and really wanted me to check out their program (if I got an interview). I always wanted to go to Stanford so in the end I think everything worked out for the best.

Thanks for the info! I didn't know UW was such a stickler for GRE scores...but with my lower gpa (from an avg. state school, nothing special haha) I need all the help I can get I think. I'm mostly banking on my LoR's, research exp. and personal statement making more of an impact that my 2 numbers...just getting through the initial screening is my worry.

Well if you are worried about passing the initial screening, you should really consider re-taking the GREs, especially if you haven't taken the new GREs. I actually really like the new GRE format a lot better than the old one. Applications don't open until September-October so you have plenty of time to get those GRE scores up.

[ACEBStrokr]

I'm also interested in Virology and I have just finished going through the whole "grad school process". I would say that the strongest programs for Virology that I came across (or at least that interested me the most) were (these aren't in any order):

1. Harvard-Virology

2. Upenn- MVP

3. Pitt- MVM

4. WashU- Microbiology

5. Wisc Madison- MDTP

6. Duke - MGM

There are of course others but for my interests these programs really nailed it. I also believe they are all what you would consider "top tier" as far as their reputation in the field of microbiology. Quick plug, I will be attending Duke University in the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology program. If you are interested in vaccines or viral immunology you can't go wrong with Duke.

[virion]

Here are some other schools that I either applied to or considered applying to based on the amount of virology work going on there. Some are "safer-ty" (a school I considered safe rejected me while "more competitive" ones accepted me), some have more virology than others, given that I might consider rotating in other areas, etc: U Minnesota (MICaB), UVa (MIID), U Iowa (Micro), Stony Brook (MVM), Penn State (Micro), Columbia, U Florida, U Rochester, and again University of Maryland.

I listed the other ones in my previous post, and most of those ACEB re-listed. Congrats on Duke btw! I probably didn't apply there after seeing that it was vaccine/immuno-centric. I'd love to explore those areas, but I similarly didn't apply to U Maryland in favor of programs which had a lot of molecular/micro stuff going on (ideally, in addition to the immunology rather than instead of).

[wings]

Another great/top environment for virology would be WUSTL. I didn't apply there - but a professor at UW-Madison recommended it!