<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I was wondering if you have time to look at my stats and give some advises to me on grad school. I appreciate both harsh and invigorating comments.</p>
<p>International student
Purdue University (Biomedical Engineering '09)
GPA : 3.57
Semester GPA : 3.38, 3.80, 3.98, 3.40, 3.10, 3.81</p>
<p>Research : 6 full semesters of research (Fall '07-Summer '08)</p>
<p>LORs : one from UIUC director of nanotechnology, two from a prof who knows me well, another one is from a well known prof in microfluidics.</p>
<p>Papers : 2 conference papers with me as a second author, another conf. paper with me as first author</p>
<p>GRE : will be taken on the Aug 9.</p>
<p>I am applying for MS/PhD (depends on the funding) on these schools:
Cornell
Stanford
Berkeley
Northwestern
Duke
Michigan
UIUC
Purdue</p>
<p>I do like research but for the future I would like to work in a consulting company. I am discouraged from applying into the top 3 schools of my choices (Cornell, Stanford, Berkeley) due to my status (intl student) and my GPA. What are my chances of getting into those schools except Purdue?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I don't have any firsthand experience with grad school admissions, but it seems like you have accomplished alot with your research, and i bet you'll get into some of those programs.</p>
<p>If you're going for the PhD (which is more likely to fund you anyway, normally), I'd say don't worry too much about your GPA. It's more than adequate, and your research experience will matter more.</p>
<p>are you applying to phd in biomedical engineering?</p>
<p>I had a friend (US citizen) who applied to MD/PhD with research stats similar to yours but in chemistry and with several publications (in JACS!). He was a shoo-in on the PhD program side, but got rejected from every MD program, and ended up taking the year off. He had done nothing to display his interest in medicine. Most med school applicants do something - preceptorships, volunteering as EMTs - to demonstrate that they are interested in health care in a hands-on way. Even if you make it clear that you'll apply your MD/PhD to a research career and never touch a patient, med schools would be less likely to admit you if you don't have that kind of experience. Don't forget all things that med schools care about and PhD programs don't (bs extracurriculars, volunteer work, stellar grades). You are effectively required to meet all of the med school and all of the grad school admissions criteria in order to be accepted into MD/PhD programs.</p>
<p>My advice is that if you want to do MD/PhD, apply to at least a dozen schools. Many med school applicants apply to two dozen. I also urge you to consider normal PhD programs because you would be a very strong applicant. If all you want to do is consulting, why do you feel you need an MD?</p>
<p>???</p>
<p>MS/PhD = Masters of Science / Doctorate</p>
<p>Oh god, I'm retarded! I read it wrong. Sorry!</p>
<p>P.S. Apply directly to PhD programs - no need to do an MS first with your record.</p>
<p>For all, thanks for replying.</p>
<p>@Harvard/MIT: Yes I am applying for PhD in Biomed</p>