<p>Many of you have provided me with some really helpful info about my whole science policy PhD, which I'm still pondering, but thanks so much!</p>
<p>On the flip side though, I'm starting to think about grad programs (I'll be a junior this fall), and I really don't know how to go about even beginning to start about which ones to pick. Obviously I know to start looking at programs based on my research interests, but I still have no idea where to start. I was wondering if you guys could give me some suggestions based on stats and my research interest, maybe even a rankings range that I could start looking in as well. I obviously wish I could attend a top 5 school...but my current stats say probably no, haha. But that's what dreams, hard work, and a lot of luck are for, right?</p>
<p>Research Interests: I'm currently highly interested in either cancer biology and research or infectious diseases. I'm not looking for the epidemiology type of PhD, but moreso molecular biology or immunology. </p>
<p>Stats: 3.31 GPA (will be a junior this fall). Working on getting into a lab, have a few prospects for this fall...trust me, it's not for lack of trying. Obviously haven't taken GREs yet, but have started studying. As of graduation, will have at least taken chemistry thru inorganic II/physics I and II/molecular biology/genetics/evolution/stats plus other assorted bio classes of my choosing. </p>
<p>Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>If you have an advisor at your school, they would be in a much better position to help you. You are interested in cancer biology, microbiology, immunology or molecular biology. Those are pretty diverse areas, perhaps when you get some research experience you will be able to whittle down the list to what you are most interested in and can pick good programs then. It might be premature at this point though.</p>
<p>Your GPA isn’t that low, it will be your research experience that makes you competitive or not for graduate admissions. A couple of places that “rank” graduate programs are included below but a top rated program may have their fair share of crappy labs just as a low rated program may have some great ones.
[Rankings</a> - Biological Sciences - Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-biological-sciences-programs/rankings]Rankings”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-biological-sciences-programs/rankings)
[Chronicle</a> Facts & Figures: Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/stats/productivity/]Chronicle”>http://chronicle.com/stats/productivity/)</p>
<p>Agree with belevitt!</p>
<p>Talk to 2-3 profs regarding your problem (it might be better to choose profs with different personalities). From there, you should have a reasonable list.</p>
<p>In my case, I used the rankings (usnews, chronicle of higher ed, etc) to have a general idea where each school stands for the specific subfield (e.g. cancer bio), general field (bio), and overall ranking/prestige-popularity. For example, in my perspective a new program at MIT (top for bio) would somewhat stand close to a well established program at a top 50. Why? top schools can generate a lot of funding and excellent students based on prestige alone 
Therefore, excellent research and rankings will follow in a decade or so. Here, I want to emphasize that I am not ‘directly’ comparing 2 univs, but merely formulating a general view on each school’s admission competitiveness. The most important factor in your list should be based on 2-4 labs in your chosen field (the fit, quality of pubs, and PI’s reputation in the specific subfield). </p>
<p>Fortunately, it was not too difficult for me to narrow it down to less than 12 schools due to my values (#1 PIs, #2 location). I didn’t eliminate strictly based on location, rather, my attitude was “I rather go to top 20-30 in NYC/SF instead of a top 10 program in X city” (assuming both programs have PIs whom I would love to work with).</p>
<p>At the end, I applied to a wide range of schools (i.e. a new program to top10 in the subfield; higher concentration of apps in the middle).</p>
<p>Also consider biology umbrella programs if you have a hard time narrowing down your interests. In some cases, all biology students have a common application and later on pick a specific department/program to join. In other cases, like biomedical sciences programs, students are free to pick from assorted faculty but students remain in the same department. This eases the pressure of narrowing down your interests before applying.</p>