Althonse

Misspelling a POI's name in your SOP....at least I still got an interview!

Oh god...this is such a fear of mine. I am currently doing cell/molecular neuroscience, but want to go into systems neuroscience (once I get to grad school). I sometimes wonder if I should have done something more pure like math or physics though. I think physics questions are really interesting too, and also sometimes feel inadequate about my current study. The weird thing is that I can't tell how much of it are these feelings of inadequacy, and how much is pure interest. I also find myself being drawn toward computational neuroscience, and again can't tell if it's because I think the theory is more interesting, or if I just think it's alluring because it seems challenging.

I think this post is great, but instituion does matter on some level. What we're all really after is the best training that we can get. There are more labs at "high caliber" institutions that will be able to give you the best training, though of course there are good labs and bad labs everywhere. So by going to a better school, you're giving yourself a better opportunity for the best training. It quickly devolves and becomes stupid though, because the reason that those universities are considered the "best" and attract the best labs is just bias. Everyone is biased to well known universities and labs, and so the name alone benefits you. Anyway, not to end on too pessimistic a note. I think that wherever you go, as long as you find a good lab, get good training, and do well, then you will be fine!

Thanks NoSleepTilBreuckelen and gellert!! That's kinda what I figured too, but I am always worried that a mistake like that could be seen as being dishonest, or at least negligent.

I also have an issue with applications that I already submitted. My GPA is a 3.69, and I listed it as such on my applications. However I made a mistake and listed it as 3.7 on my CV. Do you think this will be a big deal for schools? I am applying to 12 and would prefer to avoid calling every one of them to make sure it's okay, but I will if people think it's necessary.

@neuropathlover, systems! I'm deciding between NYU CNS and Sackler, and I'm wondering if anyone has an inside perspective on how these programs differ. Thanks!

biotechie, thanks! Yeah, it seems like an inopportune time for a trip. I also was looking back at last years thread and noticed that MIT BCS (my current top choice) interviewed the weekend of March 8th. Though, I may just take a risk and schedule it, knowing that I might have to cancel.

Also applying this fall! I understand that interviews come back around the end of december/early January. Then when are most of them scheduled? Febuary and March? I am trying to schedule a trip on March 4th-8th, but I'm afraid it will end up coindicing with interview dates if I get any.

Hey all, I am becoming very interested in this subject, though I am despairing because I do not have a math or physics background. Here's a brief bio: Graduated with a BS in behavioral neuroscience, and am working as a technician in a molecular neuroscience lab. I've had some maths like calc, have done some on my own learning of linear algebra, and I know a little bit of programming in java/python/matlab. I'm currently taking a computational neuro class on coursera, and I find it really interesting albeit above my head mathematically, so I've done to the extra work to keep up. I'm wondering if any of you are acquainted with the field, and could give me advice on how to pursue it further. I would like to apply to grad programs this fall, but I'm afraid that if I apply to dedicated programs, or general programs while specializing a computational track, that I wont stand a chance. Would it be better to apply to general programs and then once I'm in (if I'm in) then I can move into a more computational area? Would I be able to sufficiently ge the background I need this way? Alternatively, should I consider doing a masters or a post-bac in some area of math? Thanks for the read!

House party

I don't understand...six of the schools I'm applying to (neuro PhD) have sent out interview invitations and I haven't heard back from a single one. I have a 3.7 gpa, 2 1/2 years of research experience, 3 outstanding LORs including one from a well known neuroscientist, and ok GREs (80th percentile). I understand that I am applying to difficult places, but something about this seems unfair. I am really starting to freak out.

Everyone ever: Oh, where are you applying? Me: .....a lot of places... Do people expect you to rattle off the whole list? I highly doubt it....why do they even ask?

That's a little reassuring, thanks!

Yes, but what he was asking is if there is any more verification or information. If only one person posted from each school, then maybe that means they only sent out a few invites and are still going to send more?

Applying to neuroscience programs GPA: 3.72 GRE verbal: 159 GRE quantitative: 158 AW: 4 I have 2+ years of research experience in one lab, and a summer working in another lab at an ivy. Great letters from 3 neuro professors. Schools: Harvard, MIT, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, NYU, Hopkins, UPenn, Stanford, UCSD

Oh no....I picked Molecular and Cellular Neurscience as my first choice, because I was conflicted and that's what my background is in, but I think I'd be more interested in Systems. Does anyone know if you can move within the program?

Well there are no posts about it in the results or anywhere else on the forum. That's exciting though, I hope the invites go out tomorrow....keeping my fingers crossed!

Not too sure, but I think it's around 15-20. Does this mean that they will not be sending out any more invitations?

Congrats to everyone who has gotten an interview! What is the consensus on rolling interviews? If I haven't received a notice from harvard or hopkins yet, does that mean the likelyhood of getting one is severely decreased?