Research Assistant experience before starting a PhD program?

[Jenna0304]

Hey...I graduated in 2010 and have been living at home saving up for school/moving out. Now that I've saved up a bit of money, I'm really overwhelmed with whether I should apply to PhD programs now or wait until I work as a research assistant for a few years just to get some experience. I am looking at biopsych and cog neuroscience programs. I only have about 6 months of related research experience from my undergrad career, and I'm nervous that with my stats, I'll just have to reapply next year and I'd rather only go through the application process once.

I majored in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University, only a 3.2 GPA/1200 on my GRE. If anyone has been through this process and possibly had to make this decision, I would really appreciate advice! Thanks in advance!

[neuropsych76]

Hey...I graduated in 2010 and have been living at home saving up for school/moving out. Now that I've saved up a bit of money, I'm really overwhelmed with whether I should apply to PhD programs now or wait until I work as a research assistant for a few years just to get some experience. I am looking at biopsych and cog neuroscience programs. I only have about 6 months of related research experience from my undergrad career, and I'm nervous that with my stats, I'll just have to reapply next year and I'd rather only go through the application process once.

I majored in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University, only a 3.2 GPA/1200 on my GRE. If anyone has been through this process and possibly had to make this decision, I would really appreciate advice! Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

Your GPA is a little low but nothing to be overly concerned about. I would say that only having 6 months of research experience is more problematic for PhD program applications. I would definitely take some time to work in a lab, build your resume, and refine your interests. Afterward, you'll be much more prepared for the application process and have some more insight on what schools to apply to!

[Jenna0304]

Thanks for the input! I've been trying to get an RA job in nyc for months now...if I already had one I'd definitely keep it and wouldn't worry about applying to school for a couple years. I agree that I should just put my effort into getting some experience as an RA though.

[neuropsych76]

Thanks for the input! I've been trying to get an RA job in nyc for months now...if I already had one I'd definitely keep it and wouldn't worry about applying to school for a couple years. I agree that I should just put my effort into getting some experience as an RA though.

You could also apply to masters programs as a stepping stone to phd admission. But you don't want to attend a masters or phd program that you end up regretting.

Finding ra jobs can be tricky. You might need to look outside NYC, good luck!

[Jenna0304]

Yeah, I've heard that sometimes it's better to work in research for a few years instead of getting a masters because dedication to research is really what they're looking for when you apply to phd programs. I read that it can be somewhat of a waste to spend money on a masters program when working will accomplish the same or better goal.

I can't see myself regretting any programs, but I am sure that I need a phd to become as involved in research as I want to be down the road.

Thanks so much for your help.

[neuropsych76]

Yeah, I've heard that sometimes it's better to work in research for a few years instead of getting a masters because dedication to research is really what they're looking for when you apply to phd programs. I read that it can be somewhat of a waste to spend money on a masters program when working will accomplish the same or better goal.

I can't see myself regretting any programs, but I am sure that I need a phd to become as involved in research as I want to be down the road.

Thanks so much for your help.

Yes, I would definitely pursue an RA job instead of a masters program. A masters program could be good if it was heavily research focused in your area and was all or mostly paid for. But of course those are hard to find!

You seem to have a good grasp on what you need to do! Best of luck!

[honkycat1]

at this point definitely try to get as much research experience possible. Your gpa and gre are below average, so to get in the schools you want, you need some very impressive research experience (first author on posters, secondary author on papers)