<p>I am a biomedical engineering major with a great interest in genomics at one of those top 10 universities. Im applying to phd programs in both fields. In a way, BME faculty members that i would like to work for lean towards the genomics and vice verse.</p>
<p>I plan to apply to my own university (to work with a professor who’s currently supervising my independent study) as well as other graduate programs. But as I think about a letter of reference, I feel confused about a few things.</p>
<li><p>Should I feel weird about asking my PI/professor (taken a class from, semi eminent, not a great interaction due to a post-doc, will write me a good to great recommendation) to write me a letter to go to other graduate programs while applying to work(obtain phd) with him as well? How do you guys deal with this? Obviously without him, I am not certain who I will ask for a recommendation.</p></li>
<li><p>Should I try to find several professors (say, I have 2 great recommendations and 2 mediocre ones) so one does not have to send her/his letter to five-seven institutions? Or is it okay to ask a prof to send a letter to all the schools I am applying? (Of course, remember that one of them is my current PI under whom I am willing to obtain a phd.) </p></li>
<li><p>After a series of fortunate events, I did a independent research after my freshman year. It was great in terms of productivity, results, and whatnot. PI liked me and I liked her lab & research. Now PI at that time has moved to another university since I have kept a minimal contact (maybe once a semester). I personally think that was the best interaction I had with a faculty member. Is this reasonable to ask her to write a letter of recommendation and expect a great one?? Are professors way too busy to remember a little kid from 2 years ago?</p></li>
<li><p>SO that’s about it. But I am wondering if you can point me in a right direction for a graduate school search. would you think I have a reasonable chance at following schools (do i need to find a safety? or can my school considered be a safety?)?
MIT(biological engineering), Harvard (Genomics), MIT-Harvard (Medical Engineering and Physics), Duke (biomedical engineering), UC Berkley-San Francisco(bioengineering), Stanford(bioengineering), Oxford (biomedical engineering or bioinformatics)
my stat: gpa 3.8/4.0, at top 10 school overall, top 5 in the field, okay research experience, good focus in genomics as well as good research focus/interest, one awesome recommendation, one mediocre recommendation</p></li>
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<p>the first one is what your program thinks about accepting its own undergrads. Most schools, unless you go to a humongous one like harvard, are wary about taking their own undergrads. It is not that good for your career to get your phd with the same person you are doing an independent study with, as it is to your advantage to work closely with the largest number of people in the field as possible. I would talk to your PI about his feelings, both about staying at the same program and about your chances at other programs. He/She should have a good idea about where you can get in, and recommend additional programs for you. He/She will clearly not be upset about you applying to other graduate schools, as the vast vast majority of biology-esque grad students go to a different institute than their undergrad.</p>
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<li><p>Don't feel bad about asking recommenders for a lot of recommendations, they are basically form letters and they have to answer a couple of questions. </p></li>
<li><p>i think it's reasonable to ask a professor from a couple of years ago, especially if you actually stay in contact. </p></li>
<li><p>If you're interested in genomics stuff, look at UW genome sciences or bioengineering. Also, MIT has a systems biology program. If you're willing to go international, Toronto has one of the best genomics programs in the world. I would also look at the QCB program at princeton.</p></li>
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<p>Yes. You definitely still need a safety. While you stand a good chance of getting into at least one of the top universities you are applying to, you should have a back-up plan.</p>
<p>im trying to evaluate my desired graduate schools. except Oxford, im getting a phd. except oxford & berkley, i have specific faculty members i want to work with. generally something with pioneering genomic stuffs.</p>
<p>MIT Biomedical Enterprise Program (bs in biological science + mba)
MIT Biological Engineering
Harvard/MIT - Medical Engineering and Medical Physics
Harvard University - Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases
Duke University Department of Biomedical Engineering
Stanford University Department of Bioengineering
Princeton University - Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Computer Science Department
Columbia University - Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI)
University of Oxford - Biomedical Engineering or Bioinformatics (2yr master)
UC Berkley - UC San Francisco Bioengineering program</p>
<p>im considering UW or Florida as safeties. from just reading a website, oxford bioinformatics looks like my match. but obviously too many reaches? all considering faculty members are super interesting to me so i'd love to work with any of them. is this a good set of graduate programs? do i lack anything? help me thanks ;)</p>
<p>For another safety (or safeties), check out the joint Computational Biology Program through the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Both schools also have additional programs offered through other departments that may fit your research interests as well (ie Pitt - Department of Biomedical Informatics, CMU - Department of Biomedical Engineering).</p>