[Biomed] What do I need to get into top-tier grad schools?

<p>In 2007, I applied for bio PhD programs of top-tier graduate schools
with my stats below, and ended up with nothing:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.5
research experience: 1-year full-time RA in Taiwan
GRE: 330 V, 800 Q
peer-reviewed publication: none</p>

<p>I then self-reflected and tried to improve my stats as possible as I can.
This year I am going to apply for top-tier schools again with the stats below:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.5 (you cannot change your GPA after graduation)
research experience: 2-year RA in Taiwan and 2.5-year RA in USA
GRE: 680 V, 800 Q
peer-reviewed publication: one 1st-author paper (IF 7.7), one 2nd-author paper (IF 4.1), one 3rd-author paper (IF 6.8), one submitted 2nd-author paper, one 1st-author conference poster</p>

<p>Although I don’t know the results, I am more confortable with my current stats,
which should prevent the same terrible results in 2007. If there is a drawback
in the stats, higher quality research experiences and publications may make up for it.</p>