What are my chances of getting into a top-tiered biological science grad school?

Graduate School
1

<p>My stats:
Overall: 3.41
Upper Div Science: 3.77
Major: 3.547
Last 2 years: 3.85
GRE Subj (Biochem): 78 composite
88 cell biology
66 genetics
76 biochemistry
GRE Gen: I plan to take in the summer. I anticipate 160s for quantitative and 150s for verbal. No idea for writing portion....</p>

<p>I have done 3 years of undergraduate research. with two different professors (Microbiology and Chemistry). I ended up writing 2 senior theses for them, and won an award for best thesis in my department. There are talks that I will be part of the publication (second author, probably). I really screwed up my freshman year... I came with a 2.9. But after I got an undergrad research position, I really started to apply myself.
I just graduated with a BS in Biochem and Mol Bio from a UC, and I will be working at UCSF as a lab tech until I apply for grad school.</p>

<p>I am a little worried that my stats will keep me out of the top-tiered schools. I want to apply to a program that has labs that offer strong research in both biochemistry and microbiology.
These are my top 4 as of now:
UCSF
UCSD
Harvard
Rockfeller</p>

<p>Do I have a chance with these schools, or schools of similar caliber?</p>

2

<p>I should probably add that I have 2 very strong letter of recs (my PIs during my undergrad research). And I will probably ask my PI from the position as a lab tech.</p>

3

<p>Sorry for updating this so much…
Adding a school to the list. Meant to be top 5.
Adding UC Berkeley.</p>

<p>Thanks. Any input would be great!</p>

4

<p>You’ve got good stats, but no one really estimate chances, especially with top schools like these. While I don’t think they’ll take one look at your application and drop it in the rejection pile, you’re likely not a “shoe-in” at any of these schools. Find schools you’re interested in across a range of “tiers”. I’m sure you’ll be able to get into a great program, but don’t risk applying only to the top schools.</p>