NeuroMetro

Great post @pasteltomato. Though as arbitrary as these rankings may be, it still itches at me that my top choice (hopefully future school) is usually rated lower. Actually, much lower than another program at the same state university, different city, and after visits I can't figure out why. Just weird. @Asimio My point above speaks to the fact that there certainly are good-fits to be found outside the standards. I think in many cases you see the same names just because there are always a few top-rated in everyone's portfolio of apps with somewhat less regard to fit, along with the less common unique-to-applicant-fit schools. Though commonly seeing the same ones is hard not to notice.

Very true. My background is in (majors are in) both Biology and Psych, and I'm currently applying to molecular neuro programs. If I did not have background in cell & molec, genetics, and biochem, it would have been more arduous to even evaluate my choice of programs. An understanding of the type of research being done at various labs would have been missing; even reading literature published by POIs would have been less productive without a good understanding of the language. That is not to say one couldn't do it, but any background you can get in advance would help. In reference to admission only: I was chatting with a few POIs at two of my school visits last month about this, actually. One had mentioned that the program (cellular, molecular and integrative) sees, and admits applicants from a range of backgrounds. Further, this POI mentioned that one student (investigating vesicle mechanics) who came from a psych background, had just completed an amazing project. At the second school (similar program), a POI and I were discussing how we had both began in psych but moved to neurobio study for a litany of reasons. In this case the POI had mentioned being inundated with applications from psych students for better or worse, though in this case it was in an unfavorable context. Just like any other facet, seems to come down to what the particular adcomm looks for, and the work of your competitors.

No idea, but I DO know that for a friend of mine, McGill is her dream grad school.

Congrats GeneWeaver

Agreed, though I will say that as online forums go (and this is largely why I avoid them) there is much more camaraderie here vs. the vitriol you find in most.

Never expected to be on another forum... but so many people here dealing with the process of grad admission, and social facilitation is positive. SO, here goes... Undergrad Institution: Low rep inexpensive state school (that I love dearly). Major(s): Biology and Psychology Minor(s): None (but extensive coursework in chemistry) GPA in Major: 4.00 - Bio, 3.93 - Psych Overall GPA: 3.96 Position in Class: Top 5% Type of Student: (Domestic) GRE Scores (revised/old version): Q: 155 (expected much better but did not retake) V: 167 (97th) W: 5.5 (98th) Research Experience: Three small-conference presentations in with Bio Advisors (Behavioral Neuroscience, Animal Behavior, Ecology). Almost 20 conference presentations (regional and national) in Psych covering a range of topics (behavioral neuro, teaching psych, social psych, cog etc.). Two Psych publications (One top tier, and one more obscure journal), and two more in submission (national undergrad journal). Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Commencement speaker (President's award), every departmental award eligible for in psych, regional research award, two honors societies, honors curriculum, summa cum laude, etc. Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Multiple tutoring, RA and TA positions Special Bonus Points: Not sure, other than doing my best to build rapport with POI's (somewhat successfully thus far). Definitely strong LORs also. Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: Had some NCs (non-punitive W's) on my transcript from a decade ago. First time taking college courses, needed to drop classes for financial reasons (and didn't know what I wanted to do with my life yet). Though it also shows a completely separate return to college period of solid full-time coursework (summers included) over 3.5 years. Applying to Where: Fairly diverse interests UC Denver Anschutz - Neuroscience - decision-making, neurogenesis, motor control UC Boulder - Behavioral Neuroscience - developmental neuropathology Brown + Brown/NIH - Neuroscience - BCI's Yale - Clinical Psychology - developmental neuropathology Colorado State - Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience - POMC neurons, ion channels - Yeah, I know "One of these things just doesn't belong here." All apps are in, and I'm waiting. Otherwise, I am currently trying to increase my Matlab skills, and to find a tech or PRA position in the mean time.