<p>Hello,
I'm currently a Junior with a 3.75 GPA and a 3.681 GPA in my major (BS in Biology). All my biology classes are strong (Zoology, Microbiology, Physiology, Botany, Evolution, etc) with grades in the A range. I got A-'s in Chem I and II, a B- in Organic Chem I, and am currently taking Physics, which I think I will get a B in.</p>
<p>I'm currently researching in a lab focusing on insulin resistance in mice, and by the time I graduate will have 2.5 years of research in the lab (by the time I apply to graduate school, 1.5 years). I also was a biology TA for the deputy chair of the biology department over the summer.</p>
<p>My question is, what is the next step I should take? I know I need to take the GRE, but I have no idea if the Biology Subject Test is needed. Should I take it anyway? With my grades and experience, what sort of schools should I be applying to? I really have no idea what I should be doing at this point other than take the classes I need for my major.</p>
<p>Also, if I want to get into Evolution/Ecology or possibly Botany, how critical will Physics II be? Can I just skip it? </p>
<p>ANY and ALL advice will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>The subject GRE is rarely required, but some feel it is helpful to have done well on it if you come from a school with unknown (or low) academic rigor.</p>
<p>Physics sounds entirely uncritical for the fields you intend to enter.</p>
<p>At this point, you should simply be maintaining your grades and good research. I didn’t start thinking about what schools were right for me until the summer before application time.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about taking Physics II. Just to be sure, however, you should check the websites of some of the programs you might apply to. Math courses will be more critical than physics; at the very least, you should have statistics and two semesters of calculus.</p>
<p>Your next steps should be to excel at your research, impress your professors, and get high grades. Take your GREs in the early summer after your junior year to give you enough time to retake if you aren’t happy with your scores.</p>
<p>Ask your advisor for suggested programs. He/she will know where students from your school, with your profile (more or less), got into. But don’t rely solely on your advisor. </p>
<p>BTW, professors absolutely LOVE to hear that a student wants to pursue a PhD in their field. You would be wise to communicate that desire now with a few of your best professors. Ask their opinions. This will lay the groundwork for your future LORs and will provide you with even more information.</p>