<p>Hi,</p>
<p>So I wanted to get a benchmark of my chances of getting into a PhD program in bioengineering. I am applying to Berkeley, UC San Diego, University of Washington, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan, and UIUC</p>
<p>Here are my stats:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>School: University of Michigan</p></li>
<li><p>GPA: 3.67/4.0 both for my major and overall (Berkeley and UCSD will see 3.69)</p></li>
<li><p>Major: Engineering Physics (concentrating on bio-microelectromechanical systems)</p></li>
<li><p>Research Experience:
1) Summer of 2004, research program at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore (1 conference paper and 1 publication)
2) Summer of 2005-present, Research student in a bioMEMS research group where I am the PI on two projects (no publications yet, but will have a few in the next semester...I noted this fact in my essays)
3) Summer of 2005, Engineering Intern at cardiovascular medical device company
4) Other research activities in medical school at my university for a couple of months</p></li>
<li><p>GRE Scores:
1) Took them once and did VERY poorly (720 Quant, 520 Verbal, 5 writing)
2) Im taking them again on January 2 and am gonna rush my scores to all the schools ASAP. Its only an issue for Berkeley since the deadline was Dec 15, but they made a note in my app to expect new scores</p></li>
<li><p>Recommendations:
1) From my current research advisor---Should be stellar
2) From the head of Associate Head of Undergraduate Physics (should be standard but good)
3) From the mead of the Functional MRI (through the biomed eng. department---should be good too) </p></li>
<li><p>Special Qualities:
1) Fluent in Japanese (I'm Indian---from India)</p></li>
</ul>
<p>What do you guys think? Is it even worth applying to the top programs. Also, my first GRE was a flop because of nerves...all the practice tests Ive taken since then peg me at 780 Quant and 690 Verbal.</p>
<p>Thanks
-Go</p>
<p>Your GRE's are very good, by the way. A 720 on quantitative, although only the average for engineers, is still very high. Not to mention, a 520 on verbal is actually above the engineering average. If you are of Indian decent, the lower verbal score will be understandable anyway. Plus, you got a 5 out fo 6 on writing...I'm 100% American and didn't even get that high of a score on writing. You are in good shape. And remember, GRE's aren't the only determining factor schools look at.</p>
<p>For science majors, the most important emphasis is your research experience. You look great on paper, but I am pretty sure they will grill you on your research. (My sis was a biochem major). Know, know, know your research. Your interview will probably depend on it. If you nail the interview, you are a sure shot in. Publications are always a plus.</p>
<p>(Hey, I am of Japanese descent, and I also visited India.)</p>
<p>thanks for the advice michiko. I'm particularly concerned about my GPA...I really am not sure its good enough. Is it so low that schools like Berkeley and UCSD are going to not even consider me for an interview??</p>
<p>Also, what part of India did you visit? I should also clarify that I am of Indian descent...born and raised in the USA. </p>
<p>(I did graduate from the Japanese "hoshuuko" in my city though :)</p>
<p>I am not sure about your gpa and if it is "good" enough for Berkley or UCSD. I know that gpa is important, but if your research is presented well, it will make up for any gpa.</p>
<p>I stayed mainly in Bangalore. :)</p>
<p>hey. your gpa is ok but gre is a bit low... nonetheless i think if you apply to all those places you'll almost certainly get into a couple. fyi, not all places have interviews (ucsd admits you straight up) which is a GOOD thing because then they fly you out and you can just have fun without worrying about the interview. also, in my experience (with the exception of one place where i got grilled) most of the interviews are not really interviews at all but recruiting weekends where you just have to appear semi-lucid to the 'interviewer'</p>
<p>So I took the GREs again and this time I got:</p>
<p>Verbal: 630
Quant: 800</p>
<p>Will this help me out?</p>
<p>-GO</p>