Should I retake GRE? What are my chances?

[shin2na86]

Hello, I'm going to apply for Ph.D in biomedical science field. I took my first GRE couple days ago, and the score was 560V,740Q. Many people told me that my score is still a bit above the average so it should be fine, but I'm still not sure if that is really fine.

major: Biology BA (class of 2009)
GPA: 3.81/4.00 (major 3.83)

Research: 1 year of undergrad research at the Pharmacology lab. Although I was an undergrad, I had my own projects from the beginning, and my name was listed on the abstract that my trainee presented at the International meeting this summer and which will be published someday (<-- how should I describe or elaborate this in my application by the way?)

letter of reference:
one from my research professor (he would definitely write me a good one), two from science major professors, and the problem is I don't seem to have any good science professors who know me well enough, so I'm just gonna have to find any professors who would write a good letter for me..

Schools to apply:
UT Southwestern Univ
Baylor Medical School
Emory Univ.
UT Austin
U of Washinton
...and so on (maybe those schools among top 15~50)

Here are some questions I want to ask:
1. Do public grad schools admit more state residents, like public undergrad universities do? (I guess not, though.)

2. What is your opinion about my chances for those schools I'm applying to?
(Those schools' rankings are within top 30.. do I even have a chance to get into a top phd program without more research experiences or master's??)

3. Should I retake GRE to improve scores? (don't have AW score yet)

4. I'm interested in biomedical science research. Would it be okay if I get one of LORs from my Chemistry professor.

5. How competitive is it to get into biomedical grad programs? I mean.. each program selects only 20 people out of 1000 or more applicants, right? but am I competitive enough?


Thank you guys in advance!!

[raza5680]

I think the BioMed program is as competetive as any other, especially if you are applying for funding. You have a decent profile and you may get in to a school ranked 20-30. From the schools you listed UT Austin might be a stretch rest are okay. However, if you improve you GRE score you can get in to a top 20 school.