I am a junior at the University of Houston. Below are my specs, can someone tell me where I stand in terms of Graduate School (Ph.D. in cancer cell biology) candidacy. I will be applying in a year. Some of the schools I plan to be applying to are, U of Texas, Baylor, Sloan Kettering, UNC, etc.
Current GPA - 3.6
Major - Biology
Minor - Chemistry, business
Research experience - Houston Early Research Education program, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, A study abroad to Galapagos islands.
1.5 years in a research lab on campus doing the study on pancreatic cancer cell research. I have submitted our paper for publication under review.
Currently, doing an independent research course in a developmental biology lab on campus. Planning to do my senior honors thesis in this lab next year. Unsure if I would get publications or not.
Presentations - 1, more to come
Letters - 4. 2 from the profs I was working within the research lab. 1 from the graduate chair of affairs who has been my mentor since freshman year. 1 from a professor who got me into research and is on my thesis committee.
Can someone please tell me how I am doing so far? If I would be a good enough candidate for schools like Baylor or Mayo or Johns Hopkins?
Thank you!
Your stats look to be on the good-great end of the spectrum for PhD admissions, particularly the level and time spent on undergraduate research. Since your research is already so specific, I would apply for the NSF GRFP in addition to graduate school; you’ll already have the personal statement and you just need to write an additional research proposal, plus it’s just one more place for your recommenders to submit a letter to. It’s also free to apply and will open doors if you get it, since you’ll be coming with your own funding.
Your GPA is in a good range but could improve. I’d take the GRE sometime this year in case you get an unexpected score and want to retake it; the scores are good for 5 years. Plus it’s one less thing to do your senior year if you’re OK with your score.
Hopkins is very holistic in their PhD admissions, so I think it’s worth applying, but I can’t speak to the other schools on your list.
Hey, thank you so much for your insight. My GPA did improve. It’s about 3.7 now, hopefully, it will go up bit more after this summer. I am an international student so unfortunately, I am ineligible to work for or apply to NSF.
Is there any advice for someone planning to go through applications soon?