melc_hammer

I got my BA in psych with a minor in neuroscience and I am now working as research technician in a pretty prestigious neuroscience lab. I didn't get into grad school last year (I applied to Clinical programs), but have received interviews for neuroscience programs this year. There are plenty of opportunities to move up in whatever field you want to move up in, and interim years are definitely not a bad thing. There are ALWAYS research jobs at big universities. Just Google them!

Firstly, thanks! They had sent out a couple of interviews before Christmas according to the Results Search, so I wouldn't assume it was just one day. I did receive an email, however, that suggests invites will be concluded by next week: "We’re delighted that you’ve accepted our invitation for an interview with UCSF's Neuroscience Graduate Program. We’re looking forward to your visit on February 13-14. Once we finalize the list of people coming each weekend we will send out information about travel and logistics. We expect that the email with this information will be sent out next week. We appreciate your interest in UCSF and we look forward to meeting you." Hope this helps! -Mel

Also got a UCSF invite this afternoon! My waiting game is temporarily over Good luck to everyone still waiting to hear back!

See- I really want to go to that one, but I have Penn's interview then UNC, and then Denver would be the third straight weekend so I'm not sure how I feel about that. They called me at 5:30pm their time (7:30 my time), so I'm not sure if they're just going to wait until Monday or what, but I'm getting nervous. I'm thinking "what did I do to offend them and what if they retracted their invitation". I know that's illogical but this process has me going crazy.

Biomed! Because I was also interested in some of the Pharmacology faculty. Which weekend are you going? And how long did it take them to email you with the information after they called you? Because I haven't gotten the email yet and I'm really excited for this one.

Got my Denver call tonight! Great way to start the weekend

Yes, my interview weekend with them is Jan. 29-31, but I think they separated them by interest and faculty. (mine is neurobiology)

I leave lab at 6 or 7 and because we're 3 hours ahead…. I immediately open up my laptop when I get home. I feel like an absolute crazy person.

I think today could be THE day for the UCSF people who haven't heard back yet. But I only think this because last year interview invites and rejections were sent out during the third week of December on Wednesday. Probably freaking out too much… Good luck to everyone

Mr. Jeff Steinbach- the admissions coordinator! The email said there was over 1000 applicants so I'm sure there's still plenty of time!

Thank you

Thank you, A. Good luck today

Just received my UNC invite

I used up all my "positive votes" for today, but for this, you get 5.

I'll keep you updated!

Unfortunately, I didn't see the news until after leg day this morning… Now on top of being sore, I'm sad. Fingers crossed for some sort of good news today!

Thanks for freaking me out now- it is wayyy too early for this kind of anxiety. ***hits refresh button for email all day***

Update from UNC: The committee is taking today and tomorrow to look at BBSP apps. Heard this from a neurobio grad student.

Also got an invite to UPENN! I'm so happy, I'm crying.

Of course there is! There's not one thing in your bio that is a red flag. It's not just about the numbers, it's about your character substance that's expressed in your LORs and SOP, in addition to how well your interests match your potential PIs. I wouldn't worry- I honestly think numbers get you looked at by admissions committees (yours are fine) and your interests and letters and statement will be what gets you actually noticed by the good programs to which you applied. BTW, I also had a low first semester GPA (2.6) and ended with a 3.73. Your gap was even more impressive than mine and, I too, explained it in my SOP. Best of luck!

Also freaking out after reading all of these, but I want in on this convo. School: Big New England State School Major(s): BA Honors Psychology Minor(s): Neuroscience GPA in Major: 3.97 Overall GPA: 3.73 Position in Class: Magna cum laude Type of Student: Minority (hispanic) female GRE Scores (revised): Q: 84% V: 78% W: 38% Research Experience: 4 projects as an undergrad in the health sciences, one of them was my Honors Thesis in behavioral neuro. Graduated in May and have since been working in a neuroscience lab that utilizes optogenetics Awards/Honors/Recognitions: multiple scholarships, a research grant as an undergrad, multiple academic awards, Honors commencement speaker Letters: My Honors Thesis advisor, an undergrad professor who let me enroll in his graduate courses (Neuropsychology, Neuropsychopharmacology), and my current PI Any Miscellaneous info that Might Help: -Socioeconomically disadvantaged (Mother made ~10k a year to support three daughters) -was a student athlete (NCAA D1) Applying to Where: UCSF-Neuro UC Denver- Biomed UPenn- Neuro UNC-CH - BBSP BU- Neuro Drexel- Neuro UAB- Neuro