Advice and help with applications for my profile

[Razors edge]

Hi All,

 

I am really confused how to rate my profile in order to apply appropriately. Kindly help me. I am briefly jotting it down. 

 

International Student 

MSc Microbiology/biochemistry- 7.5/10 GPA (university gold medalist) 

 

GRE- 155V, 159Q

 

Publication- authorship in a recent JBC paper

 

Recos- two good recos. Both Americans (thought that might matter since I'm an international student). One is my big boss from Stanford and other my boss I'm currently working with.

 

Research experience after masters- 1 1/2 yrs. 

 

Subject GRE- Still contemplating whether to give it or not! ( Any advice here?)

 

Interested: Microbiology, Cell biology and biochemistry.Looking for schools in MA and TX essentially. 

 

Thanks for your help! 

[aberrant]

Hi All,

 

I am really confused how to rate my profile in order to apply appropriately. Kindly help me. I am briefly jotting it down. 

 

International Student 

MSc Microbiology/biochemistry- 7.5/10 GPA (university gold medalist) 

 

GRE- 155V, 159Q

 

Publication- authorship in a recent JBC paper

 

Recos- two good recos. Both Americans (thought that might matter since I'm an international student). One is my big boss from Stanford and other my boss I'm currently working with.

 

Research experience after masters- 1 1/2 yrs. 

 

Subject GRE- Still contemplating whether to give it or not! ( Any advice here?)

 

Interested: Microbiology, Cell biology and biochemistry.Looking for schools in MA and TX essentially. 

 

Thanks for your help! 

 

Interesting that nobody replies you yet, so I will.

 

You'll need to translate your grading system from India into GPA in the U.S. You can either do it by yourself, or, the better option is, follow the direction from a specific program.

 

GRE in quant is just a little bit low. 160 or above is preferred, especially if you are an international student (so am I!) For subject GRE, you can choose to take it but not report the scores if you want to. Obviously it costs money, but I'm certain that if you do well in the subject GRE score, it will only be helpful for you to apply any schools (if by MA and TX you mean those top tier schools).

 

You'll still need 1 more strong recommendation letter from someone that knows you well, who can write about your potential to be successful in graduate school.

 

Is there any reason you are only looking at MA and TX school? Areas in these two states are in general very different (weather, culture, etc.).

 

Bottom line is that for us international students, it maybe wise to apply a range of schools with different reputation/pedigree -- if that is your concern regarding how your profile ranks.

Edited July 19, 2015 by aberrant

[Razors edge]

Hey,

 

Thanks for replying. 

I will be getting more recos so that wont be a problem. 

 

My only concern with subject GRE was that in case I get low scores, It'll act a negative to my CV than actually help! But like you said, a good option would be to not report the scores. Talking about which, I assume you wouldn't have given the Biochemistry, Cell and molecular biology one right? (Considering you're a biophysics person ). In case you do have any idea; any references you recommend?  

 

About grade scores, I did top my university ( it was pretty difficult to get good scores there!) but when I convert it to a 4 grade system, I think it averages to around 3 and I dont think that's a good score. I'm afraid that would affect my application. what do you say? 

 

My choice of places was due to some personal reasons. But I am applying to both high and low tier schools in both areas. 

[aberrant]

My only concern with subject GRE was that in case I get low scores, It'll act a negative to my CV than actually help! But like you said, a good option would be to not report the scores. Talking about which, I assume you wouldn't have given the Biochemistry, Cell and molecular biology one right? (Considering you're a biophysics person ). In case you do have any idea; any references you recommend? 

You are correct. My undergraduate major was in Chemistry, so I took the Chemistry GRE instead. Because the areas that the subject GRE covers a very broad area, so the better way to find "what to study" is by identifying your weakness in a specific discipline. You can simply started by taking the GRE subject practice test, and see how did you do in a specific discipline/area. And study the specific discipline that you didn't do well in the practice test.

 

About grade scores, I did top my university ( it was pretty difficult to get good scores there!) but when I convert it to a 4 grade system, I think it averages to around 3 and I dont think that's a good score. I'm afraid that would affect my application. what do you say? 

 

My choice of places was due to some personal reasons. But I am applying to both high and low tier schools in both areas. 

I do think that the GPA is a little low. You may want to contact some of the graduate program coordinators and address your concern. Should you explain that the GPA is deflated severely in your school? Should you explain that how you are the top of your class? I think that there is a room for discussion. However, in general, it doesn't look too promising. For that reason, you can kind of prove yourself by going great in GRE. After all, you are competing with everyone in the world who is applying to that specific program, not just the students from your alma mater, right?

 

 

Good luck!

[Razors edge]

Thanks a lot for your help and advice  .. I did not realize that my grades would give me a problem because I always assumed that my high scores would favour me. I am a little concerned now.

 

I will look up some subject GRE practice tests. Though I don't find many online. I'd probably have to go to a store. Anyway, Thanks again! 

[Chimeric Phoenix]

As an international applicant, you might not be in a great position for the top tier schools; however, I think that you have a decently strong application considering your publication.

[biochemgirl67]

Your GPA is a little low for an international applicant and definitely low for top tier schools (Harvard, Stanford, etc).  But with strong recommendations and a good score on the subject GRE, you'll be fine.  I think that you SHOULD take the subject GRE in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology to compensate for your GPA.  You'll just have to study like crazy!  But if you apply to a large number of schools and don't limit yourself on the basis of prestige, maybe you wouldn't have to take it.  I would also consider looking outside of MA and TX.  International students can have a hard time getting funding, so you'll want to increase your chances.

[Razors edge]

Your GPA is a little low for an international applicant and definitely low for top tier schools (Harvard, Stanford, etc).  But with strong recommendations and a good score on the subject GRE, you'll be fine.  I think that you SHOULD take the subject GRE in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology to compensate for your GPA.  You'll just have to study like crazy!  But if you apply to a large number of schools and don't limit yourself on the basis of prestige, maybe you wouldn't have to take it.  I would also consider looking outside of MA and TX.  International students can have a hard time getting funding, so you'll want to increase your chances.

 Actually I just rechecked with my university and our system of gradation is different. Technically I should be a high 3 because I topped my batch. But I'll have a little explaining to do when I apply. 

about Subject GRE.. What if I dont get a good score? Also because I've already sent in 4 school names I want the scores to go to right. Wont that be a negative? Is there a way I can prevent my scores from going if I dont do well? 

[ballwera]

Actually I just rechecked with my university and our system of gradation is different. Technically I should be a high 3 because I topped my batch. But I'll have a little explaining to do when I apply. 

about Subject GRE.. What if I dont get a good score? Also because I've already sent in 4 school names I want the scores to go to right. Wont that be a negative? Is there a way I can prevent my scores from going if I dont do well?

You could wait to release scores till after the test, I think. You will be paying for it though. The only reason you give schools is so that they release the scores for free.