Chances in BME masters at a top 10

[CanadianGenie]

cGPA: 3.3

last 2 year GPA: 3.5

Patents: 2

Papers: 11

Research experience: 2.5 years

Current program: chemical & biomedical engineering

What do you think? Should I even bother applying to top 10?

[sabdo]

With 2 patents and 11 papers? Is that even a question?

Apply!

[CanadianGenie]

With 2 patents and 11 papers? Is that even a question?

Apply!

Thanks! I have multiple supervisors in different fields and they keep making it seem like I am trapped because I do not have a 3.9/4 cGPA.

I forgot to add that I won multiple awards for best paper + poster presented at national conferences.

[sabdo]

They have no idea what they are talking about. Assuming you have good LORs and a solid SOP you are damn competitive for a PhD in a top 20.

Even though your GPA is fairly average, I can guarantee you that none of the MS kids in my year at Duke have anywhere near as many publications as you. Hell I don't even think most of the incoming PhDs do either.

Also you have a chemical engineering background which BME programs like too. Let me tell you, if you can flesh your application out right and make your SOP paint a portrait of a person who can do amazing research at their school, you should be golden.

[intirb]

To agree with what's been said, I didn't have ANY papers or patents (two conference posters) when I applied to PhD programs.. as long as your LORs are strong and supportive, you'll be very competitive!

[KindaHardWorker]

cGPA: 3.3

last 2 year GPA: 3.5

Patents: 2

Papers: 11

Research experience: 2.5 years

Current program: chemical & biomedical engineering

What do you think? Should I even bother applying to top 10?

I didn't even think this was possible.

Even those with a hard GPA cut off would be hard pressed not to take a second look at you.

Edited November 29, 2012 by athoesen

[AquaBear]

Holy.....I wanna curl up into a little ball -__-

You're probably as set to get into a top grad school as one can possibly be.

[CanadianGenie]

Thanks! I appreciate everyone's input.

While it is not an excuse I would say to an interviewer, I think the amount of time I spend in my office or writing papers definitely has cut into my studying time -- hard to balance two activities which both have tremendously beneficial outcomes, that is, studying and researching.