applying to PhD programs as a citizen or international student?

[ltn9620]

Hi all, my main question is whether I should apply to grad schools right after undergrad, or wait for the next application cycle where my senior year's grades would be taken into consideration, AND I would then be applying as a citizen.

 

I'm currently a rising senior at a tier-1.5/ tier-2/ "new Ivy" school. I'm an international student (not green card holder), and am in this program from where I expect to attain citizenship in the next 4-7 months, well after the Fall 2016 application cycle for PhD programs. My sophomore grades tanked and as a result I have a B+ GPA, but my junior grades were better and senior grades should be able to pull my grades up. I've been in a biology research lab since the start of junior year, expecting a publication mid/late senior year, and would be writing a senior thesis as well. 

 

I am taking the GRE general test soon on 8/20, and subject test (biology) on 9/17. My LORs are likely to be strong, and overall aside from GPA I am not a weak candidate. My biggest question is then, whether to apply in the current cycle for Fall 2016, or wait for Fall 2017 application where my senior grades (and higher GPA) would be taken into account, along with applying as a citizen and not as an international student? 

 

Thanks folks!