<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I'm a domestic rising senior applying to a number of Molecular Bio programs this fall. I was wondering about how I stand alongside other applicants out there? I've got a 3.7 GPA at a top 10 USWNR university, have been working in a lab since freshman year, and have a handful of undergraduate publications, along with a 3rd author paper recently submitted to a top journal. i think I should have a very strong rec from my PI as well.</p>
<p>I recently took my GRE and got 780Q, and 610V. However, my writing and bio subject test aren't as hot....4.5 and 720 respectively. Do you think it would still be worth retaking the GRE to improve my writing score, or the GRE subject Bio? Would it be worth sending the subject score at all? I'm still not quite sure what schools truly mean when they say that subject scores are "recommended." I'm looking to apply to programs such as Stanford Biosci.</p>
<p>I'd say I'm most concerned about the subject test. </p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>If your subject test score is below 90th percentile, don’t send it. A strong GPA from a good university is adequate evidence of your biology preparation.</p>
<p>I see. Would it not be worth it to retake it, either?</p>
<p>You should come up with a list of the schools you would like to go to and see if they even require the subject GRE. If they only recommend it, than only send the score if it strengthen your application.</p>
<p>I did well enough on the cell, molec., biochem GRE subject test, but felt that my scores weren’t impressive/probably wouldn’t help my application (as I already had a great GPA, including all my major classes), so I didn’t send them. And I got into a bunch of top biosci-related programs, so I don’t think not sending my scores impacted my application. I don’t think retaking the subject test is worth it (I have never heard the subject test brought up at interviews or, now as a grad student, talking with the admin/adcom members/etc., so I really don’t think it’s all that important – unless you get some outstanding score, that’s a plus)</p>
<p>Your stats are fine, it really just matters the quality of your research (which is hard for us to judge). As long as your numbers are good enough, I don’t think anyone really cares…</p>
<p>For the record, I only scored about a 75% on the Biochem subject score, sent my scores, and got into several top molecular+cellular bio programs and turned down interviews to 6 other schools… I think unless you completely, completely bomb it (or on the flip side, completely ace it) the score doesn’t matter too much. That being said, I don’t think it hurts to NOT send the scores- I know plenty of people who didn’t even take the test.</p>
<p>I also had another question about the application process. Do you think it’s worth it to contact via email a couple of professors (with appealing research topics) at the schools I’m interested in to see if they’re willing to take a graduate student in the upcoming year or two?</p>