<p>Hi! </p>
<p>My main concern is that my GPA is going to get me in trouble and I'm not sure what "safety" schools are really out there for Bioe grad programs, specifically looking at biomaterials/tissue engineering programs. Right now my top school to apply to is Drexel; others include Temple, UMD, Penn State, VCU, NYU Poly, and Johns Hopkins (obvious reach I know).</p>
<p>So here are my stats:</p>
<p>Undergrad: University of Maryland-CP
Major: Bioengineering (Biomechanical, Biomaterials track)
GPA: Just above 3.00
GRE: V 520 Q 540 (still waiting for percentiles and essay grades, but will probably retake in November to raise quantitative score....)
5th year senior (changed majors winter of junior year from cell bio to bioe)
Graduating May 2014</p>
<p>Experience:</p>
<p>Bioscale Up Facility - A biotechnology lab that grows and scales specific strains of bacteria (usually E. coli), yeast, and fungi when asked by companies, labs, and contracts who don't have our facility's equipment. I've been working there for over a year and am planning to continue until I graduate. Will be getting a good LOR from my boss.</p>
<p>FDA - Worked there unpaid from Jan-May 2013 then got an ORISE Appointment Jun-Aug 2013. Worked on a research project that characterized the stability of neural implants during implantation both in vivo and in vitro - I worked mainly on the in vivo part with mice, taking impedance measurements and creating a MATLAB program that streamlines the data analysis. Will be getting a pretty good LOR from my mentor.</p>
<p>Independent Study - Just started an independent study course this semester and decided to research the use of alginate/Aloe vera hydrogel dressing as a treatment for scars and burns (should start the actual experimenting soon, excited!)</p>
<p>Not sure if this means much, but I had a poster printed for a student poster session at FDA presenting the work that I had done during my 8 months and will be having another poster printed (listed as an author) for a Neuroscience convention in CA - Neuroscience 2013 - presenting the project as a whole.</p>
<p>Any recommendations on programs that I would definitely get into as a "safety" or match school?</p>
<p>Thanks for any help!!</p>