JuneTree

Score: 170V, 164Q To those who doubt our high scores - if you are even on this forum, you're probably in the top 20% of graduate school applicants. GRE scores are requested for many programs, such as social work or management. The minimums for those programs are ~1000 (on the old version). Very few members of this forum are in these fields - we're mostly intensely focused in the academic world.

Hi everyone, Please someone advise me? Or at least let me know what I am doing that may be coming across the wrong way?

I'm applying to grad schools in NY/NJ for Fall 2012 and will have 1.5 years of research experience, 3 labs. (yes, on the low side, but I am going to be working in 2 different labs concurrently for the .5 year). I have worked in a trauma lab (1 year, no pubs) and in an obesity research lab (2 months, project), but neither excited my passion, except confirming my love of stats. Ultimately, I don't have a specific interest like "differences between neural substrates of positive emotional expression while underwater basket weaving in the Asian and Caucasion populations before and after puberty as measured by fMRI and PET." So what fascinates me? ---Social neuroscience - (the brain and human social interaction - why we need it, how it works) ---Affective neuroscience (the brain and emotion) ---Analysis of personality and motivation What should I do in terms of Personal Statements? I was planning to just rewrite it for each school, but I can't possibly be thorough enough between such different fields. P.S. I am looking for fMRI experience in the NYC area.

Thank you! This is actually closer to my area of interest, I just didn't know how to summarize it into systems labs and thought pharmacology would explain better my interest in how the physical neural circuits relate to behavior (and how medications influence that). I would be interested in running trials on psychoactive medications. I am learning SAS at my current research internship. I didn't take Calculus I since I tested out of the math requirement and got an A in stats. If all I have by graduation is Chemistry I and II, and Biology I and II, will that be enough? Thanks. My worries are more in the getting an A- area, yes I am a perfectionist got it. Now I have to find a research position in a systems lab - I think that is what I need now. I would tailor my application to the faculty I want to work with. Another Q - I have worked at 2 places so far, both doing radically different research. For this coming year, I hope to work someplace doing research totally different from both of theirs. Will working in so many different areas be bad for graduate school, especially since I don't have publications from any (and if I do have, it will be from a private project related to none) or can I just play it as "I wasn't sure which field and now I know"?

As an undergrad, I am a member of the APS and APA. I haven't gone to a conference but do enjoy the literature, and am debating if I should join the SfN or not. I don't know if I'm wasting my money or not.

Thanks for sharing your opinion - it is always good to hear another perspective.

Quick Q - what are systems labs? I am definitely more into the pharmacology (don't want to do MD because I don't want to take care of patients, only research). I could get interested in behavioral as well but haven't had the opportunity to see that. As an undergraduate or in graduate school? This is a strong point - I have a need to fully understand things and love talking about them. Won't it look like I have senior slump if I do that? OK, but can I use it as filler if there are a few months that I don't have a research position? Good to be reminded of. I really need a position where I can be part of the research, but may have to take a gap year in order to do that. Thanks. So I'm hoping SAS and Python will be enough. My school just doesn't have opportunities for research people, so I've been very much on my own. As for developing interests, that's hard because I really am interested in everything! I feel that experience is important for me to make such decisions. Well I find everything interesting! If I don't understand something I look it up on wikipedia and generally understand it (not as true for advanced statistics, but generally.) I like things that make a practical difference most.

Hi, I would like to apply to PhD programs next year. I'm interested in the brain and more scientific aspects of psychology, still too interested in everything to be specific. With 2 semesters left to graduation (BA in psych), is it worth it for me to take Bio and Chem I this coming semester, then Bio and Chem II? Or can I get into cognitive or behavioral neuroscience PhD programs without it? What about advanced statistics/programming classes? What I have: 1. A bit of research experience: One year as research assistant in neuro lab, hopefully more to come in other labs. ------Do test norms count as a publication? If so, I may be better off 2. 4.0 psych/ 3.98 general GPA ------I'm nervous about Bio and Chem lowering my GPA, but is there a choice? 3. Head of Psychology Club and member of professional organizations ------Does anyone care about this? 4. Passion for research ------Just like everyone else Seriously, I know some of the disadvantages, but love it too much to not try anyway. What I am yet to achieve: 1. GRE ------Not so worried about this, am studying and generally a good test taker. Aiming for 1400+ 2. Actual research experience ------My college has not been helpful and jobs are not plentiful. 3. A's in science - related classes ------Don't know if I need them and how much 4. Statistics/ Programming knowledge ------Plan to teach myself Python this summer ------A+ in college in basic statistics 5. PUBLICATIONS -----It's hard to get them as an undergraduate! I'm not a minority and have not been in luck with such opportunities. Thank you for your advice!

Thanks! Thanks! Should I first learn Python, then do the Matlab online MIT course? (Am in a similar situation to OP)

I have no experience at all with programming of any sort. Any recommendations what I should do first?