<p>This is my first post, where I would just like some feedback on my chances of getting into graduate school. I am currently a senior at Columbia University studying Biomedical Engineering with a GPA of 3.34. </p>
<p>I am looking into master's programs in biomedical engineering and was wondering what schools I have a realistic shot of being accepted into. I may want to get a PhD, but I do not think that I will be able to with this low of a GPA. I know by the end of this school year, I will have raised my GPA up to a 3.4 at least, so I was thinking about getting a master's first and then trying to apply for a PhD. To be honest, I know I have slacked the first two years because I really didn't know what I wanted out of college and it wasn't until last year that I realized I wanted to go to grad school.</p>
<p>GRE (took in August and with new system only get score ranges and no official report until November):
Q:750-800
V:650-750
W: No score until November </p>
<p>I have conducted research here in the same biomedical engineering lab since my freshman year (including every summer). I have 2 publications on which I am 2nd author and I am writing a paper now myself as first author, but this probably wont be in until after applications are due. This is what I have been most passionate about and frankly has meant more to me than most classes I have taken.
Additionally, I am an editor of a science journal, have positions on some community service based organizations, and volunteer at a local hospital. </p>
<p>I honestly just want to know what range of schools I should apply to for a masters program because I am not sure what my chances are. Thanks guys!!!</p>
<p>Your GRE is very high, research is awesome (4 years? with 2 2nd auth + 1 first), and I do think your letters should be great. Your GPA isn’t 3.7, but you’re not applying for Med school (for Grad school, 3.4 is pretty good-ok-meh-at worst it won’t raise red flag). People got in to grad school weighted more on their research and not so much for the GPA/GRE, which you definitely has advantage in. But you need to think about good fit e.g. does your research match with the university’s? I would contact (email) some prof at the univ you’re interested in. If your previous research matches the prof’s research and he’s interested in you, you have better chance.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help, but I was wondering if there were two schools doing research I am interested in. However, one is a top 10 and the other is lower. Would it be worth it to maybe get a masters first and then try applying if I could get better grades during the masters or should I apply for a PhD program straight. I am thinking in the long run I do want to try and get a PhD. Its the way I try to obtain it that is a little confusing for me.</p>
<p>Go for a PhD. You can list your current paper as “submitted” or “under preparation” on your application. Also apply for the NSF; they like seeing broader impact activities like editing a science journal and community service leadership.</p>
<p>That’s true, get NSF grants and NIH training grants.</p>
<p>Nobody cares about grade (ok, people do care, but yours is not even bad) when your research is AWESOME with big caps and undergrads don’t usually have 1st author publication and not often have 2nd auth pubs.</p>