Asimio

Thank you. I had a terrible day at work after reading this thread and this consoled me, even though it might just be for a bit.

Oh Gosh, I'm guessing I'm not going to get in anywhere (no emails/calls). Anyone get invites from Boston GPN or their brain and behavior program?

Which programs are these? Most of the ones I stumbled upon had 1 Dec deadlines. @Gvh I hope so *fingers crossed*

Hey guys! I've applied to mostly Neuroscience programs, which have a strong quantitative aspect (Computational/Modelling/etc). Some of them are cognitive psychology programs; I've applied to Penn State, Colorado Boulder, Boston University and will be applying to U of Rochester. Everyone on gradcafe has such amazing profiles, makes me incredibly insecure; especially considering my unorthodox academic background and lack of experience (not to mention my age, sigh). BTW, Masters programs aren't funded correct? And quite pricey from what I've heard?

Oh God, I did the same thing. I'm sending out emails to all my programs that still haven't received my scores.

Here's a great guide http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~evans/advice/prospective.html

Hello, I'm considering a masters program due to my lack of research background (MBBS, which is a degree in clinical medicine) and the opportunity to boost my profile and gain more research focus. I've only found programs in Stony Brook and at Pitt (which is almost impossible to get into for an international) Any other good programs that will help transition my career into a a basic research tilt? I'm into systems neuroscience; using both theoretical and experimental methods. Thanks!

Sounds good! We should extend this thread to Essential reads for Grad students! I can't seem to edit the poll. but if more people start contributing I'll start putting up names on the OP.

Hmm, will get on it ASAP. Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate it.

There are so many people doing Neuroscience research, can you suggest any guidelines that would make the process of finding an interested PI faster? I often find many people doing work that I find interesting; should I be targeting any specific group of institutions/locations/etc?

Woah, that sounds pretty cool. Still having no luck with finding a place to volunteer though, but am holding onto faith since there are loads of places to apply too. I would still want to formally learn how to conduct research though, I feel I'd be heavily limiting myself if I didn't I feel. It's an excellent start though, have you ever heard of going post doc and then going for a doctorate?

Come on guys! This is sticky potential stuff!

Hmm, yeah. It's cool how you can go for a Biology masters, and choose something like Neurobiology as a major. Thanks guys. They're all SOO expensive though.

Hello everyone. I'll give you a quick run through of my situation. Graduated in 2012. MBBS (Medicine and Surgery so I'm transitioning from clinical to basic science) Pakistani citizen. No research experience. Sub-par GPA. I feel that by the end of the year, I will not be competitive enough for a good Neuroscience program and so am planning my Plan B options. I'm thinking of considering a masters program (though I do not know which one nor if I can afford it) to really get some research experience, so that I can get the time to immerse myself into studies and have the opportunity to improve upon my poor track record. I have been feeling this is a good way to go about things after reviewing current work being done by top programs. Theory and methodologies are in use which I am massively unfamiliar with and this makes me feel very uncomfortable. I value high impact work over getting done with my PhD quickly and getting paid. I can't seem to find any terminal master programs in USA. Are they restricted to Canada and EU only? Is this an intelligent way to go about things considering my final destination would be into a PhD program?

Yes, I have an MBBS. But an MBBS doesn't count as a doctorate degree, correct? I'd have to push myself though the USMLEs for that. I just abandoned my long USMLE step 1 struggle recently after talking to two american professors and my USEFP (United States education federation Pakistan) advisor who convinced me that I'm better off doing something else with my time rather than toiling away at the library all day long. So now I'm laboriously emailing faculty asking to volunteer in their labs as well as reading everything about the applications process in the hopes of finding way of improving my chances.

Hey everyone. Can you guys give me a listing of essential books that I should read through to make sure I'm well aware of the parameters of the application process? Pros and cons would be great, and would prefer reading pertaining to applying in the sciences, since I'm aiming for a PhD in neuroscience. I am currently reading "Getting what you came for," by Robert L. Peters which seems like a great book, but I'm worried about the possibility of it containing dated information. As an international student I do not come across many advisers and have messed up my academic timeline to a great extent, I'm determined to get things right the first time and need to extensively research every facet of the application process. Thanks! (I'll add more books on the poll as people suggest them)

Congratulations everyone, it is amazing seeing you all "post-war" getting into incredible places. As for those who didn't get in, it's not over!

Any leads of such institutions? My situation is quite unorthodox, I'm transitioning from clinical medicine to basic research, so PI's are reluctant to consider me (so far). Just this morning I got a reply with the final lines reading: Which seems very understandable since the lab had a strong behavioural/mathematical tilt but as someone who is craving some research experience, it brings me down a little.

The universities I got in contact with said they'd give me a J1, and yes I'd have to show evidence that I can support myself for the time I'm there (which I am able to) I'm just having difficulty engaging faculty. I'm going for neuroscience, so plan on seeing what's available in Singapore, China and Japan. I wonder how receptive they are, though Japan I feel will not be possible. I was doing my homework on some of the faculty and their sites and even some of their research is in Japanese!

That sounds very plausible. You think even an unpaid position would be hard to secure? Most of the international departments I contacted advised me to engage with faculty and then they would sponsor my visa. As for the real deal, I have no idea how receptive faculty is to inexperienced international (double disadvantage, ouch!) students such as myself who want to get in on some hands on experience with the giants of the field. I've sent a couple of emails today after reviewing the work everyone is up to. One good thing is that you really get to find out who is up to what (although the research is highly specialised and very often becomes difficult to follow) Sigh. I need experience!

Thank you for the help so far guys. The main aim is to gain experience, and I got some information about it. I'm aiming for Neuroscience, and there isn't really anything to be found in Pakistan. But I'll definitely look into some Asian universities if the Visa becomes such an issue. Unfortunately I'm coming from a clinical medicine background and do not have any good contacts which can help me out. It seems pretty clear cut according to the universities I contacted (eg. http://oia.osu.edu/int-scholars/j-1-visiting-scholars/751-how-to-become-a-j-1-scholar.html) however I do not know if it's really that easy.

So what do you suggest? How should I go about this? I need experience in a lab, and volunteering seems like the only way.

Hey neighbour! I'm in a similar situation as you, but I don't have the nice credentials that you do (Just 2 low-key clinical publications) I want to get some research experience in too and am considering volunteering at labs that interest me. Good approach in your view? What exactly is a Research trainee?

I would like to apply to volunteer at a lab in the US; as an international what kind of Visa am I to apply for? I am doing this in the hope of experience (I want to find my place in the field to some extent) and gaining an LOR. Is this a pragmatic approach?

I have to ask you people one thing though, I have a huge fear that when I finally get into a PhD program (I have a long way to go despite graduating a couple of years ago) I may be somewhat intellectually crippled. Let me elaborate, the kind of environment I did my medical school studies was not very stimulating and that combined with my own lack of initiative lead to a very poor academic record. My passions weren't instilled within me from an early age, unlike most of my peers who have insane levels of drive and are in great places now. After becoming more disciplined and proactive, I have developed a somewhat idealistic (naive maybe?) view of what I want and feel real passion for it. But what worries me is that am I really going to learn how to think? I know I need a good deal of research experience before I can get anywhere, but in the department of formal education I am also lacking. Does formal education have such a big role into moulding thinking processes? Especially in my case where I'm transitioning from clinical medicine to a more fundamental basic science approach.