School Selection: Am I aiming too high?

[sk925]

Undergrad Institution: Banaras Hindu University, India (Very well-known, not particularly for physics though)
Major(s): Physics
Overall GPA: 8.07/10
Graduate Institution: Well-known research institute in India
Graduate GPA: 80.6/100
Length of Degree: 3+2 years (BSc + MSc)
Position in Class: Second Best in MSc
Type of Student: Indian
PGRE Score: 930(86%)

TOEFL: 111 (R: 29, L:30, S:24, W:28)


Research Experience:
Two research projects in the Master's program. One for a year on the first-order theory of gravity. Another for one semester on Machine learning applications to spin systems. No publications.

Special Bonus Points: 2 strong LORs. My research supervisor is the author of a well-known book on QFT.

Applying for Ph.D., All for condensed matter theory.

Applying to:
UBC, Vancouver
Carnegie Mellon
Rice
Purdue
U Virginia
UIUC

I am nervous because my grades in core physics courses in my final year of undergrad are not good. However, my MSc grades are good, particularly in advanced courses. It would help to know if I am aiming too high. Also, what should be the safety schools I should apply to?
Thanks in advance.

[phygre123]

del

[notheisenberg]

I think you should try Toronto and Ivy league as well