<p>Hi!
I'm a rising senior at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in ChemE. I'm wondering about my admission chances at Columbia (Fu) for a funded PhD in ChemE. I have two really good research experiences, and I should be able to get pretty good letters. I also interned in R&D at a major bio-pharma company for a summer. I rocked my GREs, but I guess so does everyone in engineering. My problem is I only have a 3.5, and (worse!) only a 3.3 in-major. Do you think I've got a shot at Columbia? I'm really interested in their genomic engineering concentration (within chemE), and Columbia looks amazingly awesome for that.
Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>A 3.5 is a solid gpa in a tough field. Just apply and see what happens. You have research experience, you go to one of the best schools in the country, you have nothing to much to worry about. Stop beating up on yourself. What is the worst that can happen? You apply to Columbia, and they say no, and the Earth will continue to rotate about its axis. Its just like talking to a girl, stop thinking about it, and just do it.</p>