School selection - biophysics (international student)
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:46 am
Hi
I'm currently trying to finalise my list of schools to apply for at the minute and could use some help! I've decided I would very much like to go into biophysics research - I'm wondering about one thing, however. Is it generally more advisable to apply to a regular physics program and specialise in biophysics, or apply mostly for pure biophysics programs instead?
A bit of background about myself - I'm am international student (Irish female, so native English speaker at least). GPA of ~3.87 and two summers of research experience (one in a related field, one in optics) with a co-authored publication in press. I'm still waiting for my official general GRE results, but have a verbal range of between 560-660, and quantitative 710-800. I expect the writing score will be decent. I'm travelling over to Kent in England in 2 weeks to do the physics GRE, I'm guessing a lot depends on my score for that, with regards to where I have a realistic chance.
So far, I have decided to apply to Cornell, Brown, UW Seattle (all physics) and also Harvard (SEAS, biophysics track). I'm also considering UC Davis (biophysics).
What I'd like in particular is advice/suggestions of other "reasonable" schools with good biophysics research. - e.g., where I might have a more decent chance for admission. The whole application process seems extremely daunting at the moment - no one else I've ever come into contact with here has gone through the process before, it's really not a common thing to do for Irish students as far as I can tell. It's something I'd really like to do, however, so I figure I might as well give it my best shot. Any advice appreciated, thanks.
I'm currently trying to finalise my list of schools to apply for at the minute and could use some help! I've decided I would very much like to go into biophysics research - I'm wondering about one thing, however. Is it generally more advisable to apply to a regular physics program and specialise in biophysics, or apply mostly for pure biophysics programs instead?
A bit of background about myself - I'm am international student (Irish female, so native English speaker at least). GPA of ~3.87 and two summers of research experience (one in a related field, one in optics) with a co-authored publication in press. I'm still waiting for my official general GRE results, but have a verbal range of between 560-660, and quantitative 710-800. I expect the writing score will be decent. I'm travelling over to Kent in England in 2 weeks to do the physics GRE, I'm guessing a lot depends on my score for that, with regards to where I have a realistic chance.
So far, I have decided to apply to Cornell, Brown, UW Seattle (all physics) and also Harvard (SEAS, biophysics track). I'm also considering UC Davis (biophysics).
What I'd like in particular is advice/suggestions of other "reasonable" schools with good biophysics research. - e.g., where I might have a more decent chance for admission. The whole application process seems extremely daunting at the moment - no one else I've ever come into contact with here has gone through the process before, it's really not a common thing to do for Irish students as far as I can tell. It's something I'd really like to do, however, so I figure I might as well give it my best shot. Any advice appreciated, thanks.