[2017 Neuroscience PhD Applicants and Admission Results]

1 hour ago, RM17 said:

Congrats! Here are a few threads from this year about prepping for and what to wear to interviews:

 

 

Just what I needed. Thank you!

[2017 Neuroscience PhD Applicants and Admission Results]

I've been on these forums for a long time on and off so I guess I'll be "on" right now. I just got an invitation to interview for Wake Forest's Neuroscience PhD program and am excited to finally get an interview! Who wants to provide some good interview insight? 

As far as whether schools accept outstanding students and then decide between 30, I think you nailed it. If you look at the results search, all of the first people to get invited have a Masters in a relevant field it seems. It seems like they pay attention to everyone else after this group. 

[Biological master with funding?]

I would look into UNCG's Master's in Biology program. It's not on par with Purdue by any means but there are definitely a lot of international students that get accepted into the program (I work with two international students) and there is one professor in particular that does solid molecular biology research in cancer. I don't think it's guaranteed funding, but I think many students do get funding. Definitely worth looking into! 

[Applying to grad school sophomore year]

I would not split the list into three and apply to separate schools every year. I'm not sure there are too many people in your situation so you're definitely unique. I may only be speaking for myself, but if I were you I would not apply yet. If I were in your shoes I would try to get a research position for at least a year and make some money! Why not? As long as your staying productive towards your goal then I would say there's no need to stress over applications immediately. This will also give you time to become confident about everything you are doing in a lab or whatever it is. If you are thinking of applying to master's programs then I would say go for it if you have money to spend. If not, then see if there are any masters programs that will give you a stipend. If you were to get a job for a year, you would have plenty of time to explore possible graduate schools while also possibly being able to save some money, which could be a huge payoff in grad school because it's not like you make enough money to save a lot! 

Hope that helps! 

[Want to Apply to Neuroscience Program But GPA Is Super Low]

I am in a similar situation that you are in. I have an overall undergrad GPA of a 3.14 but I'm still applying this cycle and to some higher ranked programs. My advice to you would be start thinking about these questions first: is your undergrad research relevant to what you want to do grad school? Can you make a high GRE score to make up for your lower GPA? What is your major GPA? Is it an option to enroll in a post-bac or masters program? 

If the answer to the first two is yes, and you have a high major GPA, then I would say go for it this application cycle! If you've never applied before it'll give you good practice for your next attempt (assuming you don't get in), and you'll figure out the rest in the mean time. If you don't get in then you can further think about the last question and start exploring your options. You'll figure it out as I had to do after I didn't get in the first time I applied and then enrolled in a post-bac and am feeling more confident. 

A low GPA is something that can be explained in a personal statement and from what I've seen many people still get into higher programs with a lower GPA. In my case, for some reason, I don't do very well in lower level classes, but if you put me in an upper level/graduate course I excel. This is my reasoning for a lower GPA and if a graduate committee examines my transcript they will see this is definitely the case. However, they will not necessarily know to look into this unless I highlight it in my personal statement. So for your case, make sure you clearly explain that clinical depression and anxiety hindered you from doing your absolute best for xyz semester... also talk about this with your letters of recommendation so they can reinforce your reasoning! I hope this helps! 

[2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

15 hours ago, rageofanath said:

A degree is definitely the easiest way to fulfill the course requirements, generally speaking. It is sometimes harder to be non-traditional, but no one said any of this would be easy, for any of us. Just challenging in different ways. I actually just checked the BBS admissions requirements too and they do require a BS. Very interesting how departments vary, and how much variety there is in bio. If I was going for what you are, your original post would probably be absolutely correct.

Since you're already at Harvard, we might have run into each other already even, despite being in different departments! Did you get the free Ben and Jerry's in front of the science center a few weeks back, haha?

Thanks, good luck in your program too.

So you sound similar to me when I graduated with my Psychology degree. I talked to admissions directors about getting a MS in Biology, however, I couldn't fully enter the program without taking remedial courses in Physics and Calculus so I decided to enroll for my second degree in Biochemistry to take those courses and a lot more chemistry. I know you are taking coursework and since you haven't specified if Physics and Calculus is apart of that coursework you may want to make sure you do or do not need those courses. 

[2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

On 5/18/2016 at 3:05 PM, biochemgirl67 said:

A lot of people who got interviews at Emory and UNC seemed to also have them at Vanderbilt... i was offered the very first weekend, which I think corresponded to their priority applicants/deadline.

I don't think you should necessarily cut any of the schools you've listed... just add in 3-4 more that are diverse in their competition. You want to have a few schools that you stand a good chance at getting an interview so you don't drive yourself nuts in the fall, some that you are competitive but not necessarily the top of their applicant pool, and maybe 2 reaches if you want to give it a shot.  Therefore I'd focus on the tier where you will be not a sure thing but stand very good chances.

You don't want to apply too low either... i did with university of Tennessee and once my letter writer there heard i got an interview at Vandy, he told the adcom not to consider me at all even though my credentials indicated that I would have exceeded their expectations in their program.  So I basically wasted $60 and the time it took to do their application.  It's all about balance.

That sounds like some stellar advice. I've applied to PhD programs before and it did not go well. I only applied to 1 school I felt competitive at and was driving myself insane. I have never felt so bipolar in my life so I'm trying to avoid that at all costs. I will be reposting my stats and list of schools after I've refined my options and have updated GRE scores for all to examine.

[2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

2 minutes ago, biochemgirl67 said:

Well obviously Vanderbilt IGP should stay on the list because I'm biased.

But honestly there's a lot of them.  I would start looking at schools such as University of Utah, Colorado State, university of Oregon, UTSW, university of Georgia, Penn state, and so forth.

You will definitely get into a good program, but the key is to apply widely because different programs evaluate differently.  Some schools want you to have previous, long term experience in the field (Harvard for me) and some will realize that they will give you the experience.  It's really all about applying to different types of schools/environments/programs so you have a good chance of finding a fit.

Awesome, thanks a lot! I'll definitely be looking into those schools more for sure. Vanderbilt is actually one of my top choices (if not the top) and that may or may not be the school I have emailed with fairly extensively because I like what you all do over there... I will say Mt Sinai and Emory will be the first to come off of my list because those feel like too big of a reach as well as UNC BBSP.

[2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

44 minutes ago, biochemgirl67 said:

The only problem with your profile is that your second major GPA is so low for the schools you've listed.  A molecular biology-based program is going to pay attention to your achievements in molecular science ie biochemistry.

Your research experience is nice, but isn't actually related to your goals except for the lab you just joined.  Unfortunately, adcoms won't really consider this in terms of LoRs because you will only have a few months experience by the time you apply.  The only reason these the disparity between your research experience and goals even matters is because it would show that you could be successful in your chosen field.  I would therefore recommend you expand the net you're casting.  At least 4/6 schools you've listed are leaders in their fields and extremely competitive.  You WILL have people ask why you've chosen the molecular signaling of the brain because of your experience in psychology research.  Apply to umbrella programs as well.  It'll help immensely.

You might get into the schools you've listed, or you might have a harder time.  No one can really tell you that.  I'd diversify your targets.

I appreciate the reply! I think I explained my GPA poorly... let me reword. My Total GPA for both degrees is a 3.14 and can't move much due to having so many classes from my first degree deflating it. My GPA for my second degree is more like a 3.4/3.5 but soon to be coming up (just took physics for the first time and struggled and have not yet taken biochemistry)! I can thoroughly explain why I have the research experience I do because I wasn't necessarily interested in molecular biology at first. I am definitely trying to go for more umbrella/interdisciplinary programs as I've been trained to think interdisciplinary. Any good interdisciplinary/umbrella program recommendations? 

[2017 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results]

Undergrad Institution: UNC Greensboro

Degree: BA Psychology, Minor: Biology (Graduated May 2015)

Psychology GPA: 3.70

2nd Degree: BS Biochemistry started in the Fall of 2015 (Do not plan to complete because I need to be done by the Spring of 2017 for financial reasons but will be only 2 classes short) During this time I also completed upper level and graduate level biology courses to have an unofficial major in biology (couldn’t major because I minored in it).  

Overall GPA: 3.14

Position in Class: No idea

Type of Student: Domestic Male

Graduate courses completed: Epigenetics, Developmental Psychobiology, Drugs in the brain.

GRE Scores (revised/old version):

Retaking because my last scores were not what I need… plus ETS seems to have lost all record of my scores.

Research Interests: In graduate school I hope to learn more about molecular signaling in the brain and how differential signaling can lead to different developmental trajectories. My research interests can be summarized by three questions: What are the changes in molecular signaling caused by drugs that may lead to epigenetic alterations? Do these epigenetic changes lead to alterations in neuronal connectivity? If connectivity is altered, how does this change the behavior of the organism?

Research Experience: 

1 year research assistant in a cognitive aging lab.

About 2 years working as a research assistant in a developmental psychobiology lab focused on the development of handedness. I was able to have 1 first author abstract publication, and 1 third author abstract publication, which resulted in poster presentations at conferences and research expos.

I just joined my schools molecular toxicology lab and will have 1 year experience studying damage to a toxicants effects on DNA before entering a PhD program.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:

Dean’s list for 2 semesters.

UNCG Undergraduate Research and Creativity Travel Award

NIH Sponsored Travel Award

Student member of the International Society for Developmental Psychobiology for 2 years.

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:

Supplemental Instruction Program Leader for Biopsychology for 2 semesters.

College Reading & Learning Association certified tutor. I tutored students in biopsychology, behavioral statistics, and cognitive psychology. 

Special Bonus Points:

Emailed back and forth fairly extensively with a certain program admissions director. My recommenders know me very well (relates to my next point).

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I am not particularly good at lower level courses for some reason, and due to having taken so many classes over my academic career my GPA is only able to increase very slowly with each semester. I’m hoping the graduate school will clearly see that I do not struggle in upper level courses (I plan to highlight this in my personal statement).

Applying to Where:

Vanderbilt IGP

LSU Interdisciplinary program

Wake Forest Neuroscience OR Physiology & Pharmacology

UNC Chapel Hill Behavioral Neuroscience OR BBSP

Mt Sinai Neuroscience OR Biomedical Sciences Program 

Emory Pharmacology or Neuroscience?

 

I'm looking for some advice on possible other programs to look into. I realize my past research experience is not typical of someone interested in neuropharmacology or epigenetics. However, I can explain clearly why I choose these research experiences and how they relate to my research goals. Also, UNCG is not the best institution for someone with my research interests and I have talked to every relevant professor at my school from the psychology, biology, and chemistry departments about career advice and made the best of the opportunities I had.