<p>I am a senior undergrad hoping to apply for Cell Biology PhD programs this winter. I have almost 3 years of research, most at a top research institution. I'll have a 2nd author pub in a major journal and was given an undergrad research grant at my university. I'll have 2 very good recommendations from PIs, but the third is pretty standard. My GRE (which I'm planning to retake just due to low GPA) is a 550v/700Q.</p>
<p>But, my GPA is a 3.0. I do research with an advisor who is on the graduate admissions committee at my school (which does not have a top grad program by any means), and she thinks that my GPA is essentially going to get me rejected from Ph.D programs.</p>
<p>Her suggestion is to find a fully-funded MS program, do well, and then apply Ph.D from there. </p>
<p>I'm also stuck because I have a job offer on the table as an assistant at a great research institution for 2 years, but my advisor says my best bet is to forgo that and focus on my GPA.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience or input? I'm just trying to consider all my options before making any major decisions. I knew my GPA would keep me out of top schools, but most people have told me that I can still get in to some reputable, less competitive programs.</p>
<p>I know of a few people who have got accepted into solid mid-range programs with a 3.0 GPA but the rest of the app was outstanding. It looks like you have pretty good stats so I would try identifying a strong research match at some mid-level programs. If you get your GRE up to over 1300 I don’t see why you would have any trouble getting in somewhere. </p>
<p>At the same time the admissions process is so much chance its really hard to predict anything but, from my experience, you should be okay with a 3.0</p>
<p>I am surprised to hear that your advisor suggests you not take the tech position. This will enhance your research experience in a way that you can’t do as an undergraduate student. My competitiveness increased dramatically from between graduating from college and when I applied to grad school after working for awhile.</p>
<p>If I may suggest- you can always take some classes while working as a tech. I took one per semester while working as a tech at a university. This compensated I felt for my less than stellar undergraduate grade point.</p>
<p>It will probably keep you out of places like UCSF or Harvard, but you can definitely get in somewhere. I’ve seen people post that they’ve gotten into some pretty good places with stats like yours.</p>
<p>I just applied this year to biomedical phd programs and was accepted to 3…with a 3.23 GPA (gasp!). However, I have worked in research positions post-graduation for 3+ years. Research experience is an important component of an application; a tech job would be great way to gain experience (and also gauge whether you enjoy working full time in a lab). I know my research experience is what got me into schools since my undergraduate GPA is less than stellar; my test scores were decent enough (760q 640v). It never hurts to apply, though I know my GPA is definitely what kept me out of some schools.</p>
<p>I got in top 20 fully funded with 3.0 GPA and I am international. My LoR was great, but you have more exp than me. I didn’t have 2nd author publication at that time. I think you have a great chance.</p>
<p>Apply widely, boost your GRE a bit on the Q section until >780.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input everyone! Mostly confirms what I was thinking I should do, which is why I was so surprised by my PI’s advice. Will definitely be retaking the GRE and will most likely be accepting the tech job.</p>