International applicant needs your kind advice

[naiman92]

Hi, there!

 

I've got a Masters in biotechnology from central Asian university (2014) Avg GPA is 3.89 (for master)

 

Haven't taken GRE yet, planning to take both subject and general...

 

currently working as a junior researcher, 4-5 years of research experience, bunch of publications in local journals and 1 thesis in international conference (but i guess it's nothing). hopefully will get 2 first and 2 second author publications in good journals by the end of this year (2 in plant molecular biology, 2 in biochemistry)

 

did exchange study in Germany for one semester, did internship in France for total of 5 month

 

can get good LORs from mentor in Paris, PI from masters, guest lecturer from MD Anderson Cancer center, US (who also was unofficial adviser for my master thesis), from prof in Germany 

 

my concern is that

1. my diploma is from university which is not even presented in the usnews list, only 305 in QS ranking (but i'm working with people who graduated from Purdue, UMich, Uni of York and i have to say that our knowledge is similar). would it affect my application somehow? what can i do additionally to subject GRE?

2. my previous research was related mostly to plant biology, but i wanna change my field to cancer research. what is my chances, if i apply to different program than my master?

3. should i apply to so called Top Tiers, like UCSF, Berkley or my chances are too low?

Edited May 1, 2015 by naiman92

[Crafter]

I can't answer all of your questions, but the fact that your school is not listed in the USNews rank does not matter at all. It just have to be an accreditted school in your country.

 

I think you have a good profile and if you find a good research fit, your chances are really good. Apply to top schools in your interested area if your numerical profile is good (GPA and GRE). Also apply to good schools that are not necessarily too high in their ranking but that you would like to attend anyway (fit is what matters most).

 

As a foreign student, I advise you to apply to several private schools. Funding is a major issue for international applicants acceptance and unless you have your own money or have a scholarship, it is best to apply to schools that have funding for international students. Private schools and large programs in public schools are your best shot.

[ilovelab]

Hi, there!

 

I've got a Masters in biotechnology from central Asian university (2014) Avg GPA is 3.89 (for master)

 

Haven't taken GRE yet, planning to take both subject and general...

 

currently working as a junior researcher, 4-5 years of research experience, bunch of publications in local journals and 1 thesis in international conference (but i guess it's nothing). hopefully will get 2 first and 2 second author publications in good journals by the end of this year (2 in plant molecular biology, 2 in biochemistry)

 

did exchange study in Germany for one semester, did internship in France for total of 5 month

 

can get good LORs from mentor in Paris, PI from masters, guest lecturer from MD Anderson Cancer center, US (who also was unofficial adviser for my master thesis), from prof in Germany 

 

my concern is that

1. my diploma is from university which is not even presented in the usnews list, only 305 in QS ranking (but i'm working with people who graduated from Purdue, UMich, Uni of York and i have to say that our knowledge is similar). would it affect my application somehow? what can i do additionally to subject GRE?

2. my previous research was related mostly to plant biology, but i wanna change my field to cancer research. what is my chances, if i apply to different program than my master?

3. should i apply to so called Top Tiers, like UCSF, Berkley or my chances are too low?

  I personally would avoid applying to public schools if I were you. They have limited funding and will take a few international students each year. UCSD has a pre-application that you can fill out and they will let you know whether or not its worth applying to. Look at private schools like Cornell, WUSTL, PENN which take large numbers of international students each year.