ADAD

I am also considering UGA and in a similar boat. I don't know where I want to go the most. For me the most important thing is finding a great mentor. I think UGA is at the top of my list so I may see you there in the fall!

I am deciding between a few programs now. They are quite varied in their focus. One university has one prof that I would want to work with who studies neural regeneration in C. elegans. I wouldn't say neurobio is my main interest, but I felt like I really clicked with this prof when I met him. His view of how research works and how it relates to society aligns with mine. My question is: would my career be pigeonholed to working in neuroscience? Could I pivot hard after PhD to working on something quite different? Say, evo devo using mice, molecular bio of DNA replication, etc? I know that I value finding the right mentor over the specific sub-field. I'm not sure that I would be happy pursuing neuroscience for the rest of my life though. Thanks!

Be ready to talk about your background, what your interested in, and why that is a good fit for their lab/group. If you get an interview they think you are good enough on paper and they want to get to know your interests/personality. That is what I've gathered at least. I was surprised when some profs were surprised that I had read some of their work. Like.... who wouldn't do that if you know who you are going to talk to in advance??

I would email them or any profs you have contacted. For what its worth, I applied to 9 programs and got rejected or invitation for interviews for 6 by early February. I had to email to hear anything from 2 and still havent heard from 1. UIC Biological sciences invited me for an interview 2 weeks ago. SUNY Stony Brook Molecular & Cellular Biology hasn't said anything yet.