Chances Ph.D in cognitive/behavorial neuroscience

[nyo]

Hi ,

I am going to apply to Ph.D in cognitive/behavioral neuroscience

I was wondering if anyone can help me in deciding which uni's to apply to. I am thinking of uChicago, Duke, Vanderbilt, Upittsburg, Boston, University of Rochester, Brown, Utah, UCDavis, Santa Barbara, brown, Johns Hopkins, Columbia Northwestern, UMass (Amherst), Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) and Rice

...n couple more... I know they are lot.. hence if anyone can keep me in check with my chances to get into any of these.. ?

Degree: BS psychology

GPA: 3.12 - my first two years were crappy so my gpa was very low.. but my third and fourth year semester GPAs were above 3.5 and was also on dean's list..

GRE: 1325

GrePsyc: 690

Yrs of experience: 1.3 yrs in cognitive psych field.. 1 yr in non cognitive psych field.. but research related..

What else do i need to do to increase my odds

Help is appreciated... Many Thanks ?

[neuropsych76]

Some of those schools you mentioned are very competitive and a 3.12 might will stand out to those adcoms. I would first decide if you want to do cognitive neuroscience OR behavioral neuroscience, you can't do both. Also, you may want to get a little more research experience.

Chances are really hard to gauge for anyone though.

[LouWho]

Some of those schools you mentioned are very competitive and a 3.12 might will stand out to those adcoms. I would first decide if you want to do cognitive neuroscience OR behavioral neuroscience, you can't do both. Also, you may want to get a little more research experience.

Chances are really hard to gauge for anyone though.

This. So much of it comes down to your individual research interest and how they match the research interests of the professors in the program. There's also funding issues, etc, etc.

[Arcadian]

Your background is (at a surface level) similar to mine, so if you want to see roughly what the outcome of these applications might be, look at my results. Having a less-than-stellar overall GPA makes it hard for us to get into the most competitive schools, but if you did research with (or if you can get a letter from) a well-known professor in the field, that helps immensely.

The main thing is to decide precisely what area(s) of research you want to specialize in. It can be hard when everything in neuroscience is so interesting, but you'll need to write a "statement of purpose" in which you make it clear what your research goals are. Keep us updated on your decision-making process!

[psychapplicant2011]

Given your GPA and (gauging from your list, what seem to be) your goals of getting into a high quality research-orientated PhD program, you might best be served by looking into funded MA programs. A good performance in a decent MA program can really help make up for any shortcomings you may have as an undergraduate.

[Arcadian]

Given your GPA and (gauging from your list, what seem to be) your goals of getting into a high quality research-orientated PhD program, you might best be served by looking into funded MA programs. A good performance in a decent MA program can really help make up for any shortcomings you may have as an undergraduate.

Yeah, but he or she can also try to get into a PhD program that is a good fit. As I explained, my GPA was almost exactly the same as his/hers, and I got into a program because it was a great fit (and probably received fewer applications than other programs, just to be honest). He/she shouldn't be discouraged from applying to PhD programs. The key is to establish clear research goals, and search for programs that fit those goals and that will give you a chance. I will say that you should apply to some MS programs as backups.

Besides, it's not like a 3.1-3.2 is terrible. That's still a solid B (over all coursework). I bet the major GPA and last-60 GPA are significantly higher. Honestly, programs shouldn't even take the freshman year into consideration...there are way too many variables in the transition from high school to college that screw up many of us. (E.g., Who cares if I got a C in Texas Government?)

Edited April 12, 2011 by Arcadian

[psychapplicant2011]

Yeah, but he or she can also try to get into a PhD program that is a good fit. As I explained, my GPA was almost exactly the same as his/hers, and I got into a program because it was a great fit (and probably received fewer applications than other programs, just to be honest). He/she shouldn't be discouraged from applying to PhD programs. The key is to establish clear research goals, and search for programs that fit those goals and that will give you a chance. I will say that you should apply to some MS programs as backups.

Besides, it's not like a 3.1-3.2 is terrible. That's still a solid B (over all coursework). I bet the major GPA and last-60 GPA are significantly higher. Honestly, programs shouldn't even take the freshman year into consideration...there are way too many variables in the transition from high school to college that screw up many of us. (E.g., Who cares if I got a C in Texas Government?)

With a 3.1-3,2, s/he can try to get into a not-quite-as-competitive PhD program that is a good fit, just as you did. This is true. And he/she might even have an OK chance of getting into a non-quite-as-competitive program, so long as there is a good fit and all other pieces of the application are very, very strong.

But her/his list of full of very, very competitive programs -- programs at which a GPA in the B- range will be extraordinarily non-competitive. (Yes, I know GPA is but one small piece of the puzzle, but at the sorts of schools that s/he listed, having one small piece of the puzzle out of place can severely hurt her/his chances.)

So, my advice: Apply to your dream school(s). Who knows? You might sneak in. But also find a list of lower mid-tier programs at which you think you could be very happy. (If your goal is to become a researcher, you do want to be careful to not pick too low of programs.) Also find a few funded MA/MS and apply to them.

Lastly, read the department's websites carefully. Many of them will tell you what kind of GPA/GRE is competitive. You may even be able to find actual statistics for the program. (You can almost always find these sorts of statistics for clinical psych programs.) If your stats aren't low enough to rule you out, then email the professors who you are most interested in working with. Find out if they are accepting students. Find out if they are accepting students with research interests like yours. Then find out if someone with a profile like yours could be a competitive applicant to their lab.

[neuropsych76]

Both Arcadian and psychapplicant make good points.

Fit is the most important factor followed by research experience. GPA is not as important. BUT, for highly competitive programs a lower GPA will severely limit your chances of admission. I'd only apply to a couple top top programs.

[nyo]

Thank you all for keeping me in check with the possibilities.. My goal is to become a researcher in autism.. I know my GPA is not that great which is why i tried to concentrate on the things i can change now like GRE and took GRE subject psy.. to show that i am capable of doing the phd program regardless of my GPA...I guess i need to strategize carefully to which universities to apply.....does looking at the ranking of universities help?

[neuropsych76]

Thank you all for keeping me in check with the possibilities.. My goal is to become a researcher in autism.. I know my GPA is not that great which is why i tried to concentrate on the things i can change now like GRE and took GRE subject psy.. to show that i am capable of doing the phd program regardless of my GPA...I guess i need to strategize carefully to which universities to apply.....does looking at the ranking of universities help?

I keep hearing how rankings do not matter much at all. It's all about what kind of research experience you obtain from your mentor/department. However, I also hear that students should be wary of schools at the very bottom of ranking listings because of suspect training/funding. If you do look at rankings, look at ones from phds.org or something because undergrad school ranking literally means nothing.

[Bison_PhD]

Rankings may not tell you much about the quality of the program, but they will hint at how competitive the application process may be. Some will just apply to the top schools b/c they are at the top of the list, therefore they will receive many more applications than other programs.

I have just finished my second season of Cog. Neuro. PhD application process. It is very competitive. My stats were:

1st round - 3.5 GPA from state school, Major: Psychology, Minors: Biology and Chemistry, 1.5yrs of undergrad research, 1340 GRE, and 3 good letters.

2nd round - (in addition to above) 1 full year exp. as a full-time research assistant at Vanderbilt, a much improved SOP, and a great letter from my PI.

The first round I applied to several of the same schools that you are looking at and I was rejected from all but one. However, during my visit I realized that the one that I was accepted to was not a good match for my research interests. And although I was rejected at Vandy, I used my new connections to get this RA position. I am happy with that choice.

The second round of applications I did much more research on which schools would be a good match for my research interests, so that where ever I got accepted I would be happy to go (Very Important). I applied to 6 schools and my additional year as an RA was a huge boost to my application. But, I received 1 interview, was wait-listed and eventually accepted to my safety school.

B/c I did my research and only applied to schools that were a great match and I would be happy going to, I am thrilled with where I am at.

I say all of this to tell you that I know that the road ahead will be tough but not impossible for you. You will need to get candid advice about your chances at certain programs. Don't be afraid to reach for top tier schools, but also be willing to look at lesser known programs and MA programs. Do not apply to any school that is not a good match or where you would not end up going. It is a waist of time and money. Do your research about the programs to which you are applying and know them well. Make connections with POIs and make sure they know who you are before the Adcoms look at your application. Good luck, it's a tough road, but we're rooting for you.

Edited April 12, 2011 by Bison

[mocha11]

I would say definitely try to do an honors project or a senior thesis; I know that really stands out to the adcoms.

Maybe a summer research internship if you can secure one.

Good letters of rec

Tailor you personal statement to each school; that will help you and the school assess fit.

[honkycat1]

with GPA it matters what classes you did badly in... if they are "hard" courses such as physics, calculus, etc... that will hurt more than if you just did bad on some random humanities course or something. my gpa wasn't stellar but I got good scores on all my math/research methods/physics etc type of tecnical courses, so what if I flunked a course in architecture, it doesn't say anything about me as a researcher.. people will look at EVERYTHING and put together a story about you based on your application. its not just an arbitrary scoring system.

and research is super important, given your GPA you really need to shine in research. that means not just "research experience", but authorship on papers, presentations at conferences, perhaps take some graduate courses and do well in them.

know that phd programs look for researchers, thinkers, and curious minds.

Edited April 14, 2011 by donnyz89

[nyo]

ya.. my gpa was low for taking like the 'general ed' courses... but all my other courses like advanced stats... neurociences courses are all B+ n As... like i said.. after my second year.. every semester i had GPA of over 3.5.. and if i look at only the last 60-60 hrs.. its 3.6+..my major gpa is also 3.5+....I am no longer in uni but i have done been a RA under my professors.. unfortunately i ddint get any chances to do publications... I know i cant change my gpa.. i did concentrate on other things like gre and recommendations letters and ofcourse plotting out my interests....

I am scared and doubtful about my success..but at the same time a little hopeful...

with GPA it matters what classes you did badly in... if they are "hard" courses such as physics, calculus, etc... that will hurt more than if you just did bad on some random humanities course or something. my gpa wasn't stellar but I got good scores on all my math/research methods/physics etc type of tecnical courses, so what if I flunked a course in architecture, it doesn't say anything about me as a researcher.. people will look at EVERYTHING and put together a story about you based on your application. its not just an arbitrary scoring system.

and research is super important, given your GPA you really need to shine in research. that means not just "research experience", but authorship on papers, presentations at conferences, perhaps take some graduate courses and do well in them.

know that phd programs look for researchers, thinkers, and curious minds.

[Arcadian]

with GPA it matters what classes you did badly in... if they are "hard" courses such as physics, calculus, etc... that will hurt more than if you just did bad on some random humanities course or something.

Physics and calculus are not much more relevant to psychology/neuroscience than a random humanities class. I got Cs and Ds in advanced calculus and engineering physics, but I don't think that should matter much. What's important, as you said, is statistics and research design.

ya.. my gpa was low for taking like the 'general ed' courses... but all my other courses like advanced stats... neurociences courses are all B+ n As... like i said.. after my second year.. every semester i had GPA of over 3.5.. and if i look at only the last 60-60 hrs.. its 3.6+..my major gpa is also 3.5+....I am no longer in uni but i have done been a RA under my professors.. unfortunately i ddint get any chances to do publications... I know i cant change my gpa.. i did concentrate on other things like gre and recommendations letters and ofcourse plotting out my interests....

I am scared and doubtful about my success..but at the same time a little hopeful...

I think you should be optimistic. Your background sounds pretty good. I also don't have any publications as an undergrad. It's not required. The one thing you might want to consider is broadening your list of schools to which you will apply.

Edited April 15, 2011 by Arcadian