Chances for Biomedical Engr Grad Program??

[engr21q]

Hello all,

I am currently a Biosystems engineering senior at a Research 1 university and I am in the process of applying to graduate schools. I just wanted some advice on my chances of getting into a good Biomedical engineering program.

My current GPA is sitting around a 3.1, and it will be most likely around a 3.2 at my time of application. This is due to the fact that I was a pre-med student and I did not do so well in some of the medical school pre-req courses (o chem, etc.) With the exception of one failed engineering course that I am retaking, my low GPA is all due to the medical school pre-requisites I took. I have not taken the GRE yet (that is happening in mid-November) but I expect that I will get good scores. As far as research experience, I have worked in a research lab on campus for about a year, working with nanoparticles, lanthanide-based fluoroscopy techniques, and other biomedical imaging methods.

My main concern at the moment is that my low GPA may bar be from getting into a good program. Most programs state that the average applicant GPA is a 3.5, which is significantly higher than my application GPA will be. I expect good GRE scores, great recommendation letters, etc. but I wanted to know if anyone had any insight into my chances of getting into good BME programs.

Currently the list of schools I want to apply to are:

University of Virginia

University of Michigan

Boston University

UCSD

UCSF

Case Western

I am toying with the idea of applying to MIT, Johns Hopkins, and some other top programs but as I stated before, my GPA concerns are putting me off from applying there.

If anyone has any advice it would be extremely helpful! Thanks!

[shorty06]

Hello all,

I am currently a Biosystems engineering senior at a Research 1 university and I am in the process of applying to graduate schools. I just wanted some advice on my chances of getting into a good Biomedical engineering program.

My current GPA is sitting around a 3.1, and it will be most likely around a 3.2 at my time of application. This is due to the fact that I was a pre-med student and I did not do so well in some of the medical school pre-req courses (o chem, etc.) With the exception of one failed engineering course that I am retaking, my low GPA is all due to the medical school pre-requisites I took. I have not taken the GRE yet (that is happening in mid-November) but I expect that I will get good scores. As far as research experience, I have worked in a research lab on campus for about a year, working with nanoparticles, lanthanide-based fluoroscopy techniques, and other biomedical imaging methods.

My main concern at the moment is that my low GPA may bar be from getting into a good program. Most programs state that the average applicant GPA is a 3.5, which is significantly higher than my application GPA will be. I expect good GRE scores, great recommendation letters, etc. but I wanted to know if anyone had any insight into my chances of getting into good BME programs.

Currently the list of schools I want to apply to are:

University of Virginia

University of Michigan

Boston University

UCSD

UCSF

Case Western

I am toying with the idea of applying to MIT, Johns Hopkins, and some other top programs but as I stated before, my GPA concerns are putting me off from applying there.

If anyone has any advice it would be extremely helpful! Thanks!

I'm a bioengineering major at U of Washington and definitely understand how annoying pre-med classes are. Unfortunately, almost everyone applying to big name schools coming from a bioe background has also had to take those classes. That being said, GPA is only one factor in an application. Research experience is critical in the field, so if you can demonstrate a strong background, you shouldn't self-select out. I've also heard that when screening applicants, some top programs set a lower limit to EITHER GRE scores or GPA for consideration. Hope that helps!

[BME_BME]

-

Edited January 20, 2010 by BME_BME

[BME_BME]

I'm a bioengineering major at U of Washington and definitely understand how annoying pre-med classes are. Unfortunately, almost everyone applying to big name schools coming from a bioe background has also had to take those classes. That being said, GPA is only one factor in an application. Research experience is critical in the field, so if you can demonstrate a strong background, you shouldn't self-select out. I've also heard that when screening applicants, some top programs set a lower limit to EITHER GRE scores or GPA for consideration. Hope that helps!

hey shorty06, when did u get your interview calls?

[bme123]

I am a Rutgers BME Undergrad with a high GPA and strong research experience ( 2 conference papers (one as first author), 1 journal as first author - IEEE BME).

I also have patent filed (Joint Inventor) at a company I work for as an intern.

I have applied to the following schools:

MIT

UCB

UCDavis

UC Irvine

BU

ASU

Umichigan

But I have a below average GRE Verbal score. Any one have experience as to what my chances are? Is ASU a good back up school? What is the common GRE Cut off score. I now they say they dont have such a thing but I am pretty sure they do.

Thanks

If you provide your GPA and GRE scores then people might have a better idea of your chances.

[BME_BME]

-

Edited January 20, 2010 by BME_BME

[shorty06]

Hey bme_bme,

I didn't apply to bioe programs b/c I am more interested in the "life" aspect of bme and therefore think that biomedical sciences programs will be a better fit for me in the future. I heard from most schools in late December, early January though.

[katalytik]

If you are looking at the top programs, it may help to go to a masters program (a good one) and then apply to the PhD programs. This would minimize the importance of the undergrad GPA. Perhaps a masters in MIT? And then apply for their program afterwards? Of course, you will need to do well there, but having done that.......I think they will look at you positively.

Yes, btw, premed courses can really hurt a GPA. I took them and honestly they stink.