Need some insight. just took the GRE (Behavioral Neuroscience)

[ratlab]

Hi everyone,

 

So I just took the GRE yesterday and got a 159 on Verbal (81%) and a 153 on Quantitative (53%), and I’m pretty sure I got a 5-6 on the AW (feel really confident). While these scores aren’t horrible (nor are they great), I am applying to top-tier schools and could use some insight. I have not started my applications so I really don’t have much time to retake the GRE on top of all my other responsibilities. I don’t really care about anonymity as I don't intend to be unprofessional or post embarrassing things. My background is below:

 

Undergraduate at a small but nationally recognized university.

Major: Psychology with a concentration in biopsychology, Minor: Ancient Studies

Cumulative GPA: 3.71, Psychology GPA: 3.95

 

Research:

- 2 years in an animal behavior lab in my institution’s psychology department conducting research on the cognitive effects of radiation using a ground based rat model . Through this lab I am conducting my independent honors thesis that I am presenting in poster format at a conference soon. I am in charge of running several behavioral experiments, and I also went on a research trip to a national lab to learn how to radiate the animals and conduct novel experiments.

 

-1.5 years working in a large animal behavioral facility. This job is more of a tech position in that I don’t work on any specific project. I assist in running an animal behavior lab in which researchers use our equipment and software, and through this lab I have learned numerous (20+) modern behavioral tests and the corresponding software (maze tracking softwares). I run requested tests for groups of researchers and sometimes help train others to use things ( I am constantly learning when I do this job).

 

- 0.5 years in a Genetic Epidemiology lab. Didn't do much besides literature searches and learning how to make good research figures, but I did get a poster out of it.

 

Posters: 5 (1 first author); Publications: 0 (my honors thesis might turn into a paper, but it wouldn’t be for a long while).

 

Letters of recommendations: three strong letters.

- One from my mentor who has his own lab and runs the behavioral lab.

- One from my mentor from the radiation rat lab in which I’m conducting my independent honors thesis and have a lot of responsibility there.

- One from a senior lecturer in the psychology department who I have served as a peer mentor for and have taken a few classes with. This person has also been a generally great advisor to me and will write me a beautiful letter.

 

I will be applying (most likely) to 10-12 top-tier schools, and probably ¾ of those schools will be for behavioral neuroscience based in psychology departments and ¼ neuroscience programs. I have only taken introduction to cell biology, molecular genetics, and chemistry though. I kind of don’t know where to start with finding good Neuroscience programs (based in biology departments) and I have to choose wisely because of my background. I’m worried about my GRE scores, but I think my other areas make up for it. I’d appreciate any insight or advice!

 

Sorry for the long post, but thanks for reading!

Edited January 21, 2014 by fuzzylogician
Edited for privacy at OP's request. --fuzzy

[SportPsych30]

  I think your other areas make up for it, but I'm no admissions committee..

I’m worried about my GRE scores, but I think my other areas make up for it.

[ratlab]

Thanks . I'd be interested to hear from other behavioral neuroscience applicants and their profiles.

[PsychGirl1]

The best way is to look at the profiles of the schools you're applying to. If you're in the ballpark, the rest will make up for it. If you're WAY below their average scores, then you might want to consider adding on some lower tier schools to your list of applications. You can also talk to your advisers/mentors/LORs/etc. about this. They will have much more insight and advice than other applicants. But at the end of the day, you just need to make every piece of your application as great as possible and see where opportunities come up. Again, research fit is usually more important than "top tier" "middle tier" programs, or from a GRE score of a x to a GRE score of y, whatever else have you.

Edited October 4, 2013 by PsychGirl1