Good Major GPA for life sciences?

[structuralBio]

Hi, I'm a biochemistry major at Clemson (yeah i know not the best program) finishing my junior year. My total GPA will be fairly decent by the time I graduate at probably around 3.7 based on realistic expectations, but my major GPA will be what i consider fairly low by the time I graduate (based on how I've been doing so far, extending that trend out) at 3.4 for a conservative estimate and 3.6 being optimistic. I want to go to graduate school for a Ph.D. in structural biology (a sub-field of biochemistry/biophysics) and would like to a top school (yale, stanford, Johns Hopkins would be my dream). 

No. 1, how much consideration is given to major vs total GPA vs major GPA from junior and senior years? secondly, What counts as a core class? would for instance, general chemistry, organic chem, and calculus count, or it just classes very specific to my major? do lab classes count (since they are basically free A's)? 

Finally, what kind of major GPA and total GPA is considered competitive for a top school, and do I have it? 

Thanks much

[ion_exchanger]

Hi structuralbio, I unfortunately do not have all the answers for you, but I can tell you what I know since I have just finished applying to schools for structural biology/biochem/biophysics.

 

My undergraduate overall GPA and major GPA are both a 3.5. As you can see from my signature, that was high enough for me to be accepted to an Ivy League School. From what I have seen, GPA's around 3.5 and above are successful, however a GPA below absolutely does not rule you out. I have heard that more focus is put towards the upward trend of your grades throughout the years, as well as your GPA from your last 2 years.

 

I would define core classes as classes that are required for your specific major in the sciences. At my University, chemistry classes counted as core classes towards our biology major, because they were requireed. We were also required to take calculus, but that's not considered a core class. Our core classes were strictly science classes. Lab classes did count, and lab classes are not free A's at my University, especially the physics lab!

 

I would say as a general rule of thumb, try to aim for at least a 3.5. If you have lower, then compensate with good GRE scores and research experience. I believe that research experience is the most important component of an application for graduate school. My GRE scores were not enough to get me into Johns Hopkins, but my 3 years of structural biology research experience was enough to get me into a couple of top programs. Bottom line, try to get above average GREs, substantial research experience, and good LOR's, and you should be able to get into a good graduate program.

 

Sidenote, you also don't have to put down your program by saying it's not the best. I come from a small school that's unknown out of my state, and even our own students say that they cannot do much with their degree. I am laughing at all the naysayers with acceptances from top programs. What matters the most is what you get out of your program.

[JohnfromMilligan]

Most Phd programs look more at graduate course work than they do undergraduate. Graduate work is more like the doctoral level work. You need to focus on where you want to program wise and find as much research based courses as you can. The better you can research, with work to back it up will go a long way.

[mop]

worry more about getting solid research experience and the letters that come with it proclaiming your research readiness. They are far more important than whatever glorified GPA number you can come up with

[structuralBio]

luckily, I have held to the strategy that you all seem to be expressing, focusing hard on research. I have 16 credit hours of research starting from my freshman year, an REU, and a summer research experience abroad funded by a grant. My only real concerns in regard to research are that I may not have my name on a published paper, since the nature of my PIs research can take many years to from start to finish, and also that my lab research at university, while biochemistry isnt in the subfield I'm looking at (though my REU was, which is what got me interested in structural biology). Thanks for your input, that makes me feel more secure that i'm on the right track.

[ion_exchanger]

Try not to focus too much on the publications. While they are great, not everyone has them when applying to graduate school. Personally I do not have any publications as of yet, however I have been accepted.