BnTAcT

Hello, I have been working as a Clinical Research Coordinator since June 2019, and I would make sure to read as many papers written by the PI as possible prior to starting. Make sure you have all of your Citi training done or moved to the new institution (which they will probably talk to you about before you start). It is always a good idea to speak to the project managers and whomever will be training you prior to starting. I am not sure what your new lab format will be, but if you're working remotely, make sure you already have an area set up that you'll be able to be productive and once you start work, make a time table of what you are working on and for how long to keep yourself accountable. Once you start, it's a good idea to speak to the other coordinators and PMs to see what different opportunities there are for publishing and conferences since there could be a hierarchy in the lab and you don't want to step on any toes. I wouldn't do this right away- give yourself some time to get settled in the lab. I know my PI set up a meeting with me when I first started where we discussed my ideas for my future and what I am interested in. I think this is really smart because it gives the PI the opportunity to get to know you a bit better and form an idea of what you are interested in and they will start to think of ways to help you get there. If you can get a meeting with your PI, make sure to have a solid plan about what you are thinking in terms of grad school or future accomplishments. Obviously this can always change, but it is good to have a baseline. In general, it is really smart to keep a working list of items to add to your resume/CV (different procedures, events, conferences, related volunteer work, public outreach etc.), and even if you don't end up adding every detail to your resume/CV, you have a whole list of things to talk about in interviews or personal statements.

Hey Everyone! Have any of y'all heard about the PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience at Boston University? I haven't seen anything about it on this site and I think it looks fascinating. Is it a newer program?

Hello, I am attending a conference in April where I am a co-author on a presentation and a few PI's that I am planning to apply to work with in grad school are presenters at the conference. Is it appropriate to email them in advance and express interest and ask to speak with them during the conference or should I wait and try to speak to them at the conference? Any advice is appreciated!!

Hey Y'all, I am not applying this cycle but I plan to apply to cognitive psych/cognitive neuroscience programs next year. Background on me: I took two years off after undergrad to do research in a neurology/neuromuscular lab that is highly regarded but, as a result, I haven't done as much "actual" psychology work. I'm particularly interested in neurodegeneration in aging and using neuroimaging to identify correlations in the change in volume of different structures in the brain and cognitive functioning. By the time I apply I will have at least one poster and a paper in publication at a top tier journal. Questions: How far in advance are y'all reaching out to PI's and what have you said to them about yourself before you actually submit any applications? Any advice about applications is appreciated!

I applied last year and got in to a program that ultimately I knew wasn't right for me. I really wish I hadn't of applied last year because it was a waste of time and money since I realistically didn't know EXACTLY what I wanted to do and I believe that showed in my applications. While your resume is impressive now, it will only get better AND you will have a better idea of what your ultimate goal is and what the best way to get there is. It is also very nice to have some time in my early twenties where I'm not stressed about school! Good luck!

Yes I did.

Hey y'all, I worked about 20-30 hours a week in my undergraduate lab for about two years and I just started in a lab position after undergrad but I want to get more experience with publishing. Is it appropriate to approach my undergraduate research advisor about continuing to work remotely with her? One of my coworkers suggested it. Any advice? Thanks!

Hi! Did you have any publications or research posters?

Have you heard of doing a graduate certificate to show you can do the coursework while working in another lab?

Hey everyone! I am trying to get opinions on my likelihood of getting accepted to Clinical PhD programs and Neuroscience PhD programs with a below average undergraduate GPA (3.2 overall and 3.25 last 60 hours). I worked in a lab for 1.5 years in undergrad and just started a position full time as a project coordinator in a neuroscience lab which is a two year commitment. I have not published yet but have a poster presentation coming up in a few months. My GRE scores were 160Q and 156V. Any advice on raising undergraduate GPA after graduation with other courses outside of doing a masters program? I am planning on applying for the Fall 2021 cycle. Any advice is appreciated!!!

I would be interested in doing blogs about dealing with rejection and ways to improve your chances at graduate acceptances

I applied because we have similar research interests at the time I was applying but my interests have changed a bit since then.

So I'm waitlisted at Mizzou in the Cognition and Neuroscience program where the POI is interested in similar things to me but it isn't a great match because I am more interested in abnormal aging and neuro-imaging but he doesn't do neuro-imaging and he does healthy aging research. I also have two potential job offers in the neurology departments at the University of Miami and WashU. The WashU position doesn't really provide me with the research experience (its a psychometrician job) so I wouldn't get to really improve my skills and I probably wouldn't get published but the lab is really well known and the UMiami position is still with neurodegenerative diseases but not specifically Alzheimer's but I would have the opportunity to learn a lot of new skills and its a research job. If anyone has any advice on what route makes the most sense if I want to apply to graduate school in the next two years, which position is best or if I should just take the Mizzou graduate school's position if it's offered. PLEASE HELP

I got an email from one of the Mizzou POIs saying that he's been out of town and just starting to look at application for the cognition and neuroscience program. I think some of the non-clinical/counseling programs are still figuring stuff out. At least I'm hoping.

Wow that is so annoying. I only got the email that they got my application together on the at 2 am on the 16th ?