Where should I apply?

[Biotech]

Hello, I plan to go to grad school next year in the US. I will apply to PhD programs in Genetics/Genomics and Molecular Biology. This is my profile. 

Major: BS in Biotechnology Engineering with a concentration in Molecular Biology.

University: Top Mexican University. 

GPA: 3.85

GRE: Quant: 169, Verbal: 163.

Research: I've been a RA in my university 2 years while I was studying. Most of my research was made in Molecular Nutrition and Nutrigenomics. I got 2 publications as third author.

LOR: This is my main concern. One of my LOR will come from someone who did his PhD in Texas A&M. The others will come from other people that did their PhD in the US, or maybe from a British institution. Some of them have done research in the MIT or the Harvard-MIT Health Center. I think they will be good, but they won't come from very important researchers.

Some of the courses I took were: one year of Calculus, one year of Physics, Chemistry, Experimental Chemistry, Structural Organic Chemistry, Mechanistic Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Metabolic Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Microbiology Laboratory, Differential Equations, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermodynamics, a year of Bioprocess Engineering, Physical Chemistry Measurement Laboratory, Statistics, Genetic Engineering, Genetic Engineering Lab, Tissue Culture, Tissue culture Lab, Molecular Diagnostics I and II, Analysis and Genetic Breeding. Among other courses, of course.

[Bioenchilada]

Do you have any schools in mind? A starting point would help people guide you in the right direction. Mentioning the research you'd like to do would also help. 

[Biotech]

24 minutes ago, Bioenchilada said:

Do you have any schools in mind? A starting point would help people guide you in the right direction. Mentioning the research you'd like to do would also help. 

Thank you. I would like to assist a top 30 program, but I don't know if it's possible. Had in mind Washington in St. Louis, Washington, Chicago, Wisconsin-Madison, Michigan, Cornell, Texas at Austin, Vanderbilt, Illinois. Do you think I'm aiming too high? I think that given my background I have a better chance at programs that research food, nutrition genomics, etc, but I think there aren't many.

I also forgot to mention that I was accepted to do a summer research internship at MIT but couldn't go because of lack of funding. Should I mention it in my applications?

Edited July 3, 2017 by Biotech

[Bioenchilada]

You should not mention being accepted into a program you did not attend. I think you will be fine when it comes to research experience and your numbers. Your PIs don't need to come from top schools for you to go to one, so don't worry about that. Finally, your experience does not necessarily have to be related to the kind of program you end up going to. For example, I did not do cancer research and ended up in a cancer bio program. 

[Biotech]

2 hours ago, Bioenchilada said:

You should not mention being accepted into a program you did not attend. I think you will be fine when it comes to research experience and your numbers. Your PIs don't need to come from top schools for you to go to one, so don't worry about that. Finally, your experience does not necessarily have to be related to the kind of program you end up going to. For example, I did not do cancer research and ended up in a cancer bio program. 

Thank you. I also have the option of doing a two years master in my country and then pursuing the PhD. My masters would of course make me more prepared in terms of education in biology and would get me at least another publication and a thesis. Do you think it's a good idea? If I pursue a masters I would probablyapply to PhD programs during my Masters's final semester. 

[Bioenchilada]

I would apply to some schools now to see how it goes, just make sure you write a solid and convincing SOP.