Where to apply? Back up schools

[LoyalDobe-bbDD]

I hope some of you more experienced individuals out there can help me a bit.

I am interested in genetics (evolutionary, population, breeding, disease (particularly cardiac diseases related to DCM, HCM) and genomics).

My problem is, that I have done quite a bit of research but just keep getting lead back to the same two schools (UF and UGA). The research they are working on is fascinating to me and I can really see myself following that path. I will be applying to both; however I know I am not the strongest candidate (I graduated 2 years ago but have been kept busy with terminal illnesses in the family that I've had to deal with).

I am finally getting back on track though. I don't have the necessary research experience and have been unable to find a way to get it. Other than that, I had a great GPA. I will be taking my GRE this next week.

I am trying to find a few schools to apply to as a plan B. I have been reading relevant research papers but again keep getting lead back to the same schools (many of them overseas - not something I can do).

I am looking in SC, GA, FL and nearby states (limited unfortunately to where I can move as my grandmother is in poor health and will have to come with).

Do any of you have specific recommendations or a suggestion of a good site that will help me search?

I did find that Clemson has a program but I am not sure my chances are much better there than the other two. I am also going to look at Georgia State University.

 

I am also toying around with applying to masters programs instead of doctoral programs as well as applying to wildlife management programs (also interested in this field as well as I have started some of my own research in this area). It wouldn't be my dream program but it is something I plan on pursuing in the future anyway.

[AtomDance]

Wikipedia has a list of research universities in the U.S. that can help you begin your search. You'll have to do some digging to see if any of them have programs that are right for you, but this should help you look by location more easily. 

[Focus]

I don't know how helpful this will be (I'm not in your discipline or on your side of the country), but here's my general take on my applications (for this current cycle).

When I was searching for programs to apply to I used wikipedia to screen by state (like AtomDance mentioned). My search was limited to only a few states, like yours (for kind of similar reasons), and there was a finite list of programs to choose from. I screened each program against my research interests and then whittled down the list to my favorites. 

I had a list of only 5 programs with good research fit in my state criteria. After hours of deliberation, I expanded my criteria and found 16 programs that would be a good fit and ended up narrowing it down to 7 programs that I am applying to this cycle (2 that weren't in my original criteria).

I scoured each program for admissions statistics to see if I might be a competitive applicant. Some programs have such statistics, many do not. I only applied to programs with a good-excellent research fit (interestingly some top programs aren't exactly focused on my desired research). My general feeling is that stellar research-fit is much more important than raw scores or GPAs; hopefully the admissions committees feel the same.

It was a long process, but I know that I would accept offers from any program in a heartbeat, even those in states that I probably "can't" or "shouldn't" move to. I opted to pass on applying to masters programs; if I don't make the cut this year, I will gain some more research experience and apply again in a cycle or two. Perhaps in time my situation may change and I might be able to cast a wider net.

I guess, apply where you can see yourself enjoying the research even if it's a stretch distance wise. I decided I'd rather move 500 miles farther away and be in a great program than in my home state stuck in a less complementary lab.

[LoyalDobe-bbDD]

Thank you both, that was very helpful and I will certainly follow that advice!