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1apples

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  • Application Season
    2018 Fall

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  1. I'm currently in the same position, but I know I'll regret it if I don't apply to my top choice schools (not Ivy leagues, but comparable). Similarly, I ditched the "safety" schools that didn't interest me; unless I would still be ecstatic to go, they're not worth applying. Lastly, my primary interest is neurobiology, but of the ~8 schools on my list I'm only applying to 2 neurobiology programs - the rest are programs known to be less competitive (like umbrella programs) that will provide access to neuroscience labs. Maybe you can do something similar with your top choice schools. Good luck
  2. I think that you'll be very competitive for these US schools listed (especially comparing against my friends who were recently accepted into those schools). But I don't know how the US schools handle international applicants. Anyway, I wanted to point out some differences between the European and US PhD application process, if you're not already familiar with them. From my understanding, many European schools put an emphasis on the applicants finding a lab of interest at an institution first. From a University College of London grad student, "you find a lab and then the PI gets you into the program." This generally isn't true for US schools - you can reach out to PIs, but they cannot guarantee your acceptance into that school. The first "test" comes with getting by the administration committee. For most US schools, you have a good chance of getting accepted to the program once you get an interview, unlike European schools. Anyway, good luck! I think that you'll do fine though!
  3. Are applicants with a clear research interest discriminated against when applying for umbrella programs (especially when the known field of interest is very competitive)? I'm concerned because my understanding is that these programs are to expose students to a variety of fields and help them decide on a topic of interest. Details, if interested: I'm not a very competitive applicant for neurobiology (GPA ~3.5, GRE ~75% but retaking in a month, strong letters of rec, and 3 publications with maybe a first author before I apply). Additionally, I've had ~8 professors at a state school (several who have been on a neurobiology grad admission committee) tell me that I'm not competitive. But I really want to continue neurobiology research. I've been suggested to apply to umbrella programs, or other programs, that provide access to neurobiology labs, but my concern is my clear research interest: my undergrad degree is in neurobiology (with an emphasis in computational neuroscience) all of my research experience (in 3 labs for 2 years each) are neurobiology oriented my extracurricular activities includes neurosci outreach programs and writing brain articles for newsletters I even have an instagram account where I post paintings of neurons I've also created a narrow path for myself to study neurocircuitries by expanding my technical skillsets to complements each other as I jumped between labs (though this maybe subtle to pick up on if unfamiliar with the field). Anyway, will my motives be transparent and off putting to admission committees?
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