Good Microbiology/Biology PhD Programs?

Graduate School
1

<p>I am a Junior majoring Biology and getting a minor in Information Technology at the University of Missouri-Columbia and I hope to apply to graduate school later this year.</p>

<p>I've been looking around at all kinds of programs and I've noticed that my favorite programs tend to be the most elite ones like Stanford, UCLA, Yale etc.</p>

<p>I was wondering if there are other programs that are just as good that I haven't heard of that are at less-difficult to get into Universities. I don't really know what schools I should apply to because I don't know my chances of getting into my favorite programs.</p>

<p>Please help! Am I shooting too high? What schools are more on my level but still have great programs and professors?</p>

<p>Stats:
GPA: 3.536
GRE: Not taken yet
Research Experience: 3 years. 2 years in USDA Agriculture Research Service lab working on soybean molecular biology and genetics. Three poster presentations and possible publication (still working on it)
Summer 2010 UCLA Amgen Scholar </p>

<p>I appreciate any input :)</p>

2

<p>UW Madison - Penn - Northwestern are all strong programs but not as highly ranked as the one’s you mentioned. You will need strong GREs and a good showing on a subject test would also help. Your recommendations will be a key factor, be sure you ask peolple who can speak to your lab skills.</p>

3

<p>Some of the top programs in micro are the elite programs you mentioned including Harvard, Stanford, Penn but you should also consider other top programs like University of Wisconsin, UT Southwestern, Washington University, UCSF. More to the point, any program can be the best program for you depending on your interests and needs. Keep an open mind.</p>