Should I even bother applying?

Graduate School
1

Welp… this is yet another “What are my chances???” thread, but I was hoping someone could offer me a little guidance regarding my situation.

I’m an undergrad (rising senior) student from a Top-3 mexican university studying B.S. Biotechnology Engineering, and was hoping to apply to a competitive PhD program (Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Yale). However, past threads regarding the profile of applicants depressed me. In a world (cue Don LaFontaine) where people with 3+ publications as first authors and a Masters from an Ivy School are being rejected from Stanford, do I even stand a chance?

My main drawbacks are (1) being international, (2) the fact that I was unable to secure external funding (missed deadlines), (3) lack of publications (though tons of research experience, I’d say) and (4) LoR will not stem from U.S. professors. Could anyone give a quick look to my profile and tell me if I should even try? Or should pursue a masters from a home university?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Undergrad Institution: Top-3 mexican university.
Major(s): B.S. Biotechnology Engineering
Minor(s): Does not apply
GPA in Major: 99.6/100 (Mexican grades are out of 100)
Overall GPA: 99.6/100
Position in Class: #1
Type of Student: International, funding required

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 165 (90%)
V: 160 (85%)
W: 4.5 (85%)

TOEFL Total: 8.0 @ IELTS

Research Experience:

Two research summers during High School. Ended up producing a technical report and presented it in a local congress.
Been involved in research with different programs during undergrad, one program during semesters 1-2, other one during semesters 5, 6, 7 and another one during semester 7. Planning on continuing research during semester #9, so it will pop up in my application.
No publications.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: (Within your school or outside?)

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: No

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

IB Program? 43/45
Part of the 2014 International Honors Program at Stanford, obtained a certificate in the Environmental and Water Studies Program (A/A)
Exchange student at The University of Nottingham during semester #8

Special Bonus Points: I’m afraid not.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:

Applying to Where:

Stanford - Biosciences
MIT - Biology
Harvard - JOHN A. PAULSON SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES
Yale - BBS

2

It is very rare for applicants to PhD programs to have 3+ publications. It might be more common in engineering, I don;t know, but overall undergrads and most master’s students don’t have publications, and if they do it is more commonly just one, sometimes in an undergrad-focused journal.

You should try. You have very little to lose and everything to gain.

3

You definitely have a competitive application as long as your LOR writers understand how to write a good personal letter. I have found that faculty outside the U.S. don’t always know how to do this.

However, as you have certainly noticed, these schools are very hard to get into and you should cover your bets by applying also to one or two less selective schools. They can have very good faculty and offer you full tuition and stipend with your credentials.