hope?

any comments on my chance of going somewhere decent? Any suggestions as to what would be a good fit?

GRE: 780 math, 530 verbal
PGRE: 680
GPA: 3.6/4.0 overall, 3.8/4.0 in physics

I have good recommendation letters from professors I have done research with for 3 years. Pretty experimental research experience in optics/biophotonics. I am coming from a top 30 physics school. I am considering applying to UCSD, Rice, NYU, Columbia...no real top schools. Any help would be sweet!

and im from the US if that makes a difference (probably will?)

Earlier this summer when I was checking graduate schools, I felt that Columbia was one of the harder schools to get into (lots of applications, less acceptances than average.) Of course, this could easily change from year to year. Also, I found that California schools had lots of applicants, and therefore the schools seemed a little harder to get into than an equal counterpart somewhere else in the U.S. With that said, these are my opinions on the schools you specifically listed.

Your scores are fine. Your research is the most important. However, as I have suggested to others, pick a school that will be a sure shot to get into, so then you aren't left in shock if you don't get accepted into a decent school. You never know what can happen really.

-Riley

What kind of physics do you want to do? Optics/Biophotonics? If so, do you have publications?

You're in a similar situation to me, except I had slightly higher PGRE (770/68%) and excellent research (your research may also be excellent, hard to say from one sentence). It's an odd paradigm; excellent research with less great grades, and hard to know how schools will react. Best advice is to send out lots of applications.

From the sound of it, you have a good shot at Boston U, which has a very impressive photonics program, and a good overall reputation. It's hard to predict how you'll fare in the more competitive schools (rankings above 25, like Columbia), my suggestion is to apply to 2-3 schools along the lines of boston, then apply to as many schools as you can that are ranked above 25...and maybe a safety school just for good measure.

Best of luck!

Alex

Check my profile in the 2010 applications thread. I got into Rice, and your application sounds somewhat better than mine.