Which genetics PhD programs am I competitive for?

Graduate School
1

No programs post stats on their accepted students, so I’m not quite sure what caliber schools I should be applying to.

I got my BS in biochemistry from UW Madison (with a 3.4 gpa) and am currently working on my MPH from UW Madison as well (currently have a 3.9). I have about 1.5 years of undergraduate research experience in a medical physics/cancer research lab, and I have 2 publications from it. I am a co-first author on one of them published in a decent journal. I worked for a semester in at pharmaceutical company before deciding to get my MPH. I am currently working at a center for developmental disabilities on a research project, but it isn’t as science intensive (more just statistics) and will hopefully have another publication before I graduate. I got around the 70th percentile on my GRE, but that was without any prep since it was just for the MPH program so I will retake it.

I’m not sure how important extracurriculars are but I was also a D1 athlete for 2 years, president of the club team after deciding I didn’t have enough time for varsity athletics. I was also the fundraising chair for my medical scholars club, and currently work at as a pharmacy tech.

I know my GPA is pretty low, but I think I have pretty good research experience so I’m not sure if my lower GPA could be overlooked at higher tier schools?

2

Also I would have 2 strong letters for rec from my PI’s then a decent one for my third either from the pharmacist I work for or my coach or possibly a class professor.

3

Yes, you will be very competitive for PhD programs. You have research experience that resulted in two publications, one is a first author. That makes you a strong candidate. Research experience and letters of recc are crucial. Don’t be too concerned with your GPA, it’s fine.

PhD biology programs are not numbers game like med school where they only care about you having a high GPA/standardized test scores.