what are my chances of getting into top 10 grad schools in chemistry ?

[metallocene2015]

Hi everyone, 

 

I just got my GRE chemistry subject test scores yesterday- 810, 79th percentile. It was a lot lower than what I got on the official practice test (970, 99th percentile)- should I send this score ? For the general test, I got Q163, V160, and AW 5.5; I am an international applicant from a top university in Asia with a 3.68 GPA (out of 4.33), a publication in Tetrahedron that is currently under review, 2 years of research experience and I am also a TA for general chemistry lab this semester. I am applying to the top 5-10 chemistry PhD programs (MIT,Princeton, UCLA, UC Berkeley). Given my credentials, do I even have a chance at getting into one of these schools ? Please help me I am freaking out..........

[Maxtini]

You get the same GRE subject score like me!  
I even got Q163 and V160~ LOL but my AW is 4.0 though...

I sent my score anyway... instead of freaking out on something that can't be change, I try to focus on what's next: SoP, LoR, find research group I'm really interested in....

[GCool]

Hi everyone, 

 

I just got my GRE chemistry subject test scores yesterday- 810, 79th percentile. It was a lot lower than what I got on the official practice test (970, 99th percentile)- should I send this score ? For the general test, I got Q163, V160, and AW 5.5; I am an international applicant from a top university in Asia with a 3.68 GPA (out of 4.33), a publication in Tetrahedron that is currently under review, 2 years of research experience and I am also a TA for general chemistry lab this semester. I am applying to the top 5-10 chemistry PhD programs (MIT,Princeton, UCLA, UC Berkeley). Given my credentials, do I even have a chance at getting into one of these schools ? Please help me I am freaking out..........

 

I don't see why you wouldn't have "a chance" given all of your credentials. How's your SOP? What about your letters of recommendation?

[metallocene2015]

Well it's not exactly that I won't even have a chance, but rather that I think that my list of schools is a bit too ambitious in light of my credentials...I have a well-written SOP, 1 moderate LOR, 1 that is expected to be very strong, and one so-so LOR. Also, my advisor said that schools like MIT and UC Berkeley usually only accept students that are in the top 5% of their class, and I am only in the top 10% or so...

[GCool]

Hmm,  you have some fair points. While differentiating between top 5% and top 10% is splitting hairs in some institutions, the more esteemed programs are going to look at that a little longer before they get to a decision.

 

I'd still say there's no harm in applying to what you've listed, though. You never know what an awesome interview can do. Maybe look for some "safety" programs?

[biochemistry professor]

You have a chance (but perhaps not a good one) at the top schools, but you need to also apply to some less competitive programs to make sure you get in somewhere.