Socrates1

Lets just say I was lucky that I checked the UCLA deadline. I could have sworn it was the 2nd. Nope, the first. Fortunately, I had everything done so just had to open the app, fill out a few fields, upload all my documents, spend $80, and submit. So glad most of my apps are due the 15th, and one of my top choices is actually not due until January 18th.

December 1st deadlines! Everyone lose their minds!

I was about to start getting really nervous, but oddly, my letter writers apparently submitted all my letters this past week. Had a couple days where every time I checked my email I'd have a couple notifications from the application system of a submission. So yay. Being antisocial and not doing Thanksgiving here. Working on statements.

Just submitted my first application. Unfortunately it's the application where recommendation forms aren't sent out until you submit the application. Hopefully my reviewers aren't angry about this...

It's alright. You and me are in the exact same boat in terms of procrastinating on these. I'm starting to get worried about one of my Dec. 1st schools because they're one that doesn't send out recommendation links to your references until you submit for some arbitrary reason. I've told my references about this, but still... Hoping to get that school and a few others done soon. I really want to be done with this.

This entire process is rather discouraging. Hopefully I'll feel more upbeat about my prospects once I've finished.

Do I have my applications in? Hahaha oh God no.

Bump. It seems like a really interesting program, and there are a number of professors whose work looks fascinating, so I'd love to hear from anyone who knows more about the program.

1 or 2 students in a program being interested in joining the new prof's lab is plausible. 4 or 5 all from the same lab? No way.

I relate to the OP's problem. In the end, I've found myself applying to mainly Psych departments with Behavioral Neuroscience areas, but I'm also going with a couple interdisciplinary neuroscience programs that aren't under the aegis of the institution's psychology department. Helps to remember there are often multiple programs for neuroscience: both the traditional Psych department, and a biomedical/interdisciplinary Neuroscience program.

Time to play mad libs then, and go with those suggestions, thanks.

I have the exact same problem as you, my adviser just rolled her eyes and said everyone knows the GRE is pretty much garbage and she'll mention that I've shown in my work with her that I have excellent quantitative skills in actual real-life research settings... just not in highly artificial and high pressure testing environments.

Eh, I freak out about this too. I have a bunch of friends from undergrad in biochem and chem programs who of course all went straight into PhD programs and I didn't. Just what is the "usual" age for going into neuroscience programs anyways?

Anyone have any advice for getting over terminal writers block?

I hate writing this.

Just updating since I retook the GRE 169V 151Q Don't have writing, but I got a 5 last time and think I did quite a bit better, so I'm pretty confident I'll get a decent score. Not stellar, I know, but I added a point to verbal, and my quant is reasonably improved, considering timed math exams are the bane of my existence. My LoR writers say they plan on addressing that anyways to the effect it isn't really reflective of my abilities. I'm almost glad it's too late to contemplate retaking the test. Two GRE's cost me a lot of money and stress. Now I have moderately better scores and no choice but to go with that.

I'd guess it's probably fine, considering you did great on quantitative, which everyone says is more important. I think it's too late to retake anyways. With the 30 day wait period before retaking, it'll be the end of November before you can.

Yeah, just one thing I didn't need when I was tired, and on a break and work organizing things for my recommenders and saw that and proceeded to have a panic attack. These applications are not good for my blood pressure. And paper letters aren't entirely gone, I'm applying to one program that wants paper letters, and actually accepts hard-copy applications.

Oh. And when you say that again, that actually makes sense. I don't know why it didn't occur to me that they could prepare it in word document or something. Interesting you say it's not that uncommon, UC Boulder is the only school I'm applying to that does that.

That seems horrible. UC Boulder is the only one I am that is. The hassle is that it arbitrarily prevents my letter writers from working on their letters as long as I am working on the application. There is no reason at all the prompt couldn't be sent before my application is submitted. Since they have online applications, they certainly already have a file open for me.

Does anyone know anything about pursuing Neuroscience through Montana State University's Molecular Biosciences program? I started looking into it as a "safety" (as much as anything can be considered a safety in applying to PhD programs) and I'm liking it more and more. They guarantee stipends and tuition waivers. Nice area. I think all the Neuroscience area profs' research looks pretty interesting. Only thing is, if I believe the time stamps on the web pages, they haven't been updated in years, and their website isn't all that clear. I had to do quite a bit of digging around to confirm that it actually is a PhD program. So anyone go there/applying to there and know what it's like?

Read through this http://www.colorado.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/faq [quoteHow does the online recommendation form work? You provide us with the name and e-mail of your recommender(s) on the online application, and AFTER you submit your application we send an e-mail to your recommender(s) with the request. The e-mail links them directly to the online recommendation form. They simply fill it out and submit the form online, along with their letter. We will receive it automatically, and you will be notified by e-mail that we have received the recommendation.

ergh. Behavioral neuroscience here. GPA: 3.3 GRE: 168 V 148 Q 5 W Second author on one paper that's almost ready to submit, got a paper presentation and a few posters. Couple years as a research assistant in a biopsychology lab. My GPA sucks because my transition to college freshman year was rocky. Hopefully this won't matter because after freshman year my grades are much better and my cumulative goes up. My GRE wasn't so hot because my brain had a blue screen of death in the first math section. I did much better on the second one, but the first one was pretty ugly. I've always been a terrible test taker. My adviser said that the GRE is kind of a horrible joke that isn't that important and she can mention in my LOR that my GRE won't reflect my ability. I know it's really late, but I'm going to retake it. I know I can get a better Q score just from being used to the testing environment. I've got 2 LOR's locked in, meeting with the prof I hope for my third this week. He's been on sabbatical so he wasn't checking his email as much. This whole application process is horrible. Oh, and just for fun, while applying I'm also working 40+ hours a week for a nonprofit that has no problem throwing us employees under the bus in its pursuit of "the mission".