<p>I'm studying Biological Engineering at one of the top engineering schools in the country. My GPA isn't the best though, cuz i had a rough time adjusting. </p>
<p>I was wondering what my chances of getting into a one of the top grad schools for Bioengineering would be (UCSD, UCLA, UC-Berkeley)? </p>
<p>My GPA is about a 4.2 on a 5.0 scale, and I'll have 1.5 years of research experience, in addition to being one of the lower authors on a paper. I also have a few EC's down on my resume, and I'm also a Mexican-American, if that makes any difference. (Does it?)</p>
<p>If I wont get in, does anyone have any advice as to how I can improve my chances, come the next cycle?</p>
<p>It is hard to say because you didn’t include your GRE score(s), but you have a pub; however, that pub has to be from a refereed journal, or it really isn’t that impressive. Exactly what are you trying to accomplish? Do you want an MS or a PhD? And why only schools in California (2 in SoCal, 1 in NorCal)? Exactly where do you go to school (just name the region, or be more descriptive (e.g. IVY, top 10 engineering program). </p>
<p>If you only want to enter industry w/ a MS, literally any ABET accredited engineering school will do. There is illogical to spend thousands (~$70K) getting a MS at UC Berkley or UCLA just to end up getting a job at the same place with students from Florida State, who have the same degree, but paid about 1/3 of the price to get it. It would behoove you to expand your net for schools to apply to , as the competition from both domestic and international students is fierce. There are many schools w/ Bioengineering/BME MS programs, and you need to expand your search.</p>
<p>If you want a enter academia w/ a PhD, then you should just pick schools that have PI’s whose work interest you. </p>
<p>As for the diversity piece, yes being a “minority” can help. The GEM fellowship, pays tuition, provides a stipend (~$14K/yr for MS, $30K/yr for PhD), and health coverage. It too late for this year, but next year check them out. The only catch w/ this program is that they have only certain schools that accept this fellowship, but all of the good ones are there (GT, MIT, Harvard, Yale, UIUC,etc.)</p>