<p>I'm about to start my fourth year as an undergrad, so I'll be starting my graduate school applications soon. I was just wondering how difficult admission to certain programs was. Everybody that I work with tells me that I should be fine and will have no troubles with admission basically anywhere that I want, but I can't help but think that it can't be that easy. Here's some background for you.</p>
<p>Undergraduate Institution: University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences (Specialization in Immunology)
GPA (General and Major): ~3.3 (I struggled with my intro Physical Sciences courses, but I've dramatically improved since then. Nothing less than an A- in any of my immunology classes, which compromise my upper division Biology courses)
Classes: Physics, Gen Chem, OChem, Fundamentals Bio, Biochem, 4 Immunology classes (1 was graduate-level, also registered in another graduate-level course for the fall), etc.
Extracurricular: Volunteer at a pediatric hospital on campus, LOTS of research
Research: I've been in my lab (a prominent immuno lab) for about 2 years and will stay here until I graduate. I have my own project and am part of the biology honors program (requires completion of a thesis). No publications yet, but maybe soon. Almost certainly presenting a poster this fall at an immuno conference. I have learned a LOT of standard immuno lab techniques (flow cytometry, functional assays, cell culture, mouse procedures, etc.).
Recommendations: My PI and 2 of my immuno profs, all of whom know me very well and are prominent researchers in the field.
GRE: Taking it in a week, also registered for the Biology subject test</p>
<p>Current School Choices: UCSF, Stanford, Berkeley, UW, Cornell, NYU, UChicago</p>
<p>I really want to go to California, so I'm wondering if I need more of a safety school in that state. I feel like I have a decent shot at UChicago at least because the department here already knows me pretty well, but I would prefer to not stay at the same school. I think my research experience, recommendations, and involvement in immunology are all really strong. I'm only worried about my GPA. My GRE should be fine, but I'm also wondering how important the subject test is. Most of my choices say it's not required, but some say it's recommended.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>