Applying for Neuroscience/Neurobiology Ph.D. programs for Fall 2015

[NWFreeheel11]

I know there is already a general biology thread for 2015, but it is a lot of cell and ecology applicants and us neuroscience people need a place to communicate. The general biology thread can be found here: 

 

Undergrad Institution: Small liberal arts school on the west coast - school < 2500 students

Major(s): BS - Biochemistry & BA - Biology
Minor(s): Mathematics
GPA in Major: Biochem - 3.65, Biology - 3.83, Math minor - 3.87
Overall GPA: 3.65
Position in Class: No class rank given, but top 25% for sure
Type of Student: Domestic male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 164 - 88%
V: 161 - 87%
W: 5.5 - 98% 
B:

Research Experience:

6 months in an ecology lab (undergrad) - author on a poster presentation and grant proposals

2 years in neuroscience lab (undergrad) - Research proposal award (only 5 at my institution), poster presentation, we are preparing a manuscript but not submitted yet

2 years in an entrepreneurship lab (after graduating) at Stanford - Im interested in biotech, so it fit the theme 

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:

Awarded the highest academic honor my university grants - 5 total in the school across all disciplines. I was the only Math/Science person

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:

8 years of tutoring experience, including students with learning disabilities at my university and Stanford

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Varsity athlete for 2.5 years - I know I can suffer

 

Applying to Where:
UIC - Neuro

UIC - BioE

CU Denver - BioE

UMN - Neuro

Boston U - Comp Neuro

UW - Neuro

UMich - Neuro

UCSD - Cog Sci

Yale - Neuro

Dartmouth - Quant Biomed Sci

Cornell Tri-I - Comp Bio

Brown - Neuro

Brown-NIH - Neuro

 

Any thoughts or insights on my application and/or chances?

Edited December 1, 2014 by NWFreeheel11

[Dedi]

Undergrad Institution: Liberal Arts University that isn't very well known nationally.
Major(s): Psychology & Animal Behaviour
Minor(s): Biology
GPA in Major: Not sure, we usually don't have that calculated.
Overall GPA: 3.52
Position in Class: I got inducted into Psi Chi last semester so at least top 35%
Type of Student: Female US citizen applying to mostly Canadian schools

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 161
V: 156
W: 3.0 (I really don't understand what happened here)
B: Not taking


Research Experience: Oh, boy. This one is always tricky because the university doesn't have "labs" that I can join.

I did an independent biology research project that lasted about 7 months. Preparing a manuscript (1st author out of three). Did two conference talks on this project (single author; one was a regional conference and the other was a university-wise conference)

Was an undergraduate research assistant for a probability learning project, but we only got preliminary results. We presented a poster at a state-wide conference (2nd author out of four).

Presented a poster at a Canadian national conference on a research course project (single author). This ended up being our research seminar for psychology project. Good results so far. I see myself being 1st or 2nd author on a manuscript.

Led my own small project at U of T last summer. I probably won't know until next semester if the results are publishable.

A research project in my behavioral ecology class might end up as a manuscript (1st author, maybe).

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Tri-Beta member, Psi Chi member, Dean's list, received a Tri-Beta research grant based on my proposal for my independent biology project

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Head rat caretaker at my university. Used to be a general biology lab assistant.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I can't think of anything else...

Special Bonus Points: The PI that I volunteered for this summer is my POI for my top choice school.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I had a poor first year due to adjustment problems. However, my grades shot up in second year and third year.

Applying to Where:

 

University of Toronto (top choice) - Psychology and Cells and Systems Biology (Collaborative program in Neuroscience)

 

University of Waterloo - Health Systems

 

University of British Columbia - Animal Welfare

 

I have an interesting list of schools, but I'm applying more for the lab than the program. My main research interest is behavioural epigenetics/maternal care and its implications in animal welfare.

[Dedi]

 

I know there is already a general biology thread for 2015, but it is a lot of cell and ecology applicants and us neuroscience people need a place to communicate. The general biology thread can be found here: 

 

Undergrad Institution: Small liberal arts school on the west coast - school < 2500 students

Major(s): BS - Biochemistry & BA - Biology

Minor(s): Mathematics

GPA in Major: Biochem - 3.65, Biology - 3.83, Math minor - 3.87

Overall GPA: 3.65

Position in Class: No class rank given, but top 25% for sure

Type of Student: Domestic male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):

Q: 164 - 88%

V: 161 - 87%

W: 5.5 - 98% 

B:

Research Experience:

6 months in an ecology lab (undergrad) - author on a poster presentation and grant proposals

2 years in neuroscience lab (undergrad) - Research proposal award (only 5 at my institution), poster presentation, we are preparing a manuscript but not submitted yet

2 years in an entrepreneurship lab (after graduating) at Stanford - Im interested in biotech, so it fit the theme 

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:

Awarded the highest academic honor my university grants - 5 total in the school across all disciplines. I was the only Math/Science person

Pertinent Activities or Jobs:

8 years of tutoring experience, including students with learning disabilities at my university and Stanford

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

Varsity athlete for 2.5 years - I know I can suffer

 

Applying to Where:

UIC - Neuro

UIC - BioE

CU Denver - BioE

UMN - Neuro

Boston U - Comp Neuro

UW - Neuro

UMich - Neuro

UCSD - Cog Sci

Yale - Neuro

Dartmouth - Quant Biomed Sci

Cornell Tri-I - Comp Bio

Brown - Neuro

Brown-NIH - Neuro

 

Any thoughts or insights on my application and/or chances?

 

I would be surprised if you didn't make the numbers cutoff for any of those schools. However, if your SOP and LORs aren't up to par (which I'm not saying they wouldn't be), then you might run into some problems.

[NWFreeheel11]

Undergrad Institution: Liberal Arts University that isn't very well known nationally.

Major(s): Psychology & Animal Behaviour

Minor(s): Biology

GPA in Major: Not sure, we usually don't have that calculated.

Overall GPA: 3.52

Position in Class: I got inducted into Psi Chi last semester so at least top 35%

Type of Student: Female US citizen applying to mostly Canadian schools

GRE Scores (revised/old version):

Q: 161

V: 156

W: 3.0 (I really don't understand what happened here)

B: Not taking

Research Experience: Oh, boy. This one is always tricky because the university doesn't have "labs" that I can join.

I did an independent biology research project that lasted about 7 months. Preparing a manuscript (1st author out of three). Did two conference talks on this project (single author; one was a regional conference and the other was a university-wise conference)

Was an undergraduate research assistant for a probability learning project, but we only got preliminary results. We presented a poster at a state-wide conference (2nd author out of four).

Presented a poster at a Canadian national conference on a research course project (single author). This ended up being our research seminar for psychology project. Good results so far. I see myself being 1st or 2nd author on a manuscript.

Led my own small project at U of T last summer. I probably won't know until next semester if the results are publishable.

A research project in my behavioral ecology class might end up as a manuscript (1st author, maybe).

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Tri-Beta member, Psi Chi member, Dean's list, received a Tri-Beta research grant based on my proposal for my independent biology project

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Head rat caretaker at my university. Used to be a general biology lab assistant.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I can't think of anything else...

Special Bonus Points: The PI that I volunteered for this summer is my POI for my top choice school.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I had a poor first year due to adjustment problems. However, my grades shot up in second year and third year.

Applying to Where:

 

University of Toronto (top choice) - Psychology and Cells and Systems Biology (Collaborative program in Neuroscience)

 

University of Waterloo - Health Systems

 

University of British Columbia - Animal Welfare

 

I have an interesting list of schools, but I'm applying more for the lab than the program. My main research interest is behavioural epigenetics/maternal care and its implications in animal welfare.

 

You can calc your GPA in major on your own by using the grades your received in the required classes. Its interesting to know at least. 

 

As long as your 3.0 on the GRE writing doesn't eliminate your based on numbers screening, no one will care. Your SOP is much more indicative of writing that the GRE. 

[stmwap]

 

Any thoughts or insights on my application and/or chances?

 

Based on your research experience (most important), grades (somewhat important), and GRE scores (least important), you have a good chance of getting into anywhere you apply, as long as your research interests align well with the faculty there.

[NWFreeheel11]

Based on your research experience (most important), grades (somewhat important), and GRE scores (least important), you have a good chance of getting into anywhere you apply, as long as your research interests align well with the faculty there.

 

So, unfortunately due to personal family matters, my PI from my 2 years of neuroscience research is on sabbatical and wont be writing me a LOR. Do you think that will negatively impact my applications by not having a LOR from one of my research experiences? The other letters are strong, I know that. 2 research and one character, did well letter. 

 

I have letters from my 

PI that I worked with for 6 months (Also my academic advisor, very strong letter)

PI that I worked with for 2 years at Stanford

O-Chem prof and academic advisor who I knew well (this is unfortunately more of a "good person and did well in my class" type of letter. 

[Dedi]

You can calc your GPA in major on your own by using the grades your received in the required classes. Its interesting to know at least. 

 

As long as your 3.0 on the GRE writing doesn't eliminate your based on numbers screening, no one will care. Your SOP is much more indicative of writing that the GRE. 

Only one program that I'm applying to requires the GRE. That's why I didn't bother retaking it.

 

Animal Behaviour major GPA - 3.47

Psychology Major GPA - 3.7

[NWFreeheel11]

Animal Behaviour major GPA - 3.47

Psychology Major GPA - 3.7

 

Solid major GPA

[Dedi]

Solid major GPA

Thanks. I expect my Animal Behaviour GPA to go up after this semester.

 

My SOP is pretty solid (as I've been told), and my LORs appear to be strong. One of my letter writers is the POI from U of T, and he's been taking his time to write the LOR. The deadline is in 4 days, and I haven't gotten word from him if he drafted a letter yet. It makes me nervous because this is completely out of my control, but I trust that he will get the letter in time.

 

Only U of T psychology's app is due in 2014. Everyone else is either January or February (kind of nice because I can save up for those dreadful fees, which are even more expensive when applying as an international student).

 

How many schools have you applied to so far?

[neumiz]

Undergrad Institution: Community college, then state school ~10,000

Major(s):

A.A. Liberal Studies

B.S. Biology

M.S. Biochemistry
Minor(s): Chemistry
GPA in Major:

Overall GPA:

A.A. 3.96

B.S. 3.77

M.S. 3.73 (spring graduation)

Position in Class:Not sure, summa cum laude for B.S. and M.S.
Type of Student: Domestic Female

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q:154
V:157
W:4.0
B:

Research Experience: 

Undergrad - 1 year biological engineering

Grad - 2+ years neuroscience

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Phi Theta Kappa, Golden Key Honor Society

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 5 semesters teaching chem/biochem labs

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: First in my family 

Special Bonus Points: Collaborating with two of my POI for my masters thesis

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: 

Applying to Where:

Boston University - neuroscience

University of Maryland - neuroscience

UPENN - neuroscience

Ohio State - neuroscience

University of Michigan - neuroscience

University of Washington - neuroscience

Oregon State - toxicology

Stanford - neuroscience

UCLA - neuroscience

UC San Diego - neuroscience

 

 

[neumiz]

 

Only U of T psychology's app is due in 2014. Everyone else is either January or February (kind of nice because I can save up for those dreadful fees, which are even more expensive when applying as an international student).

 

 

I'm jealous.  

[stmwap]

So, unfortunately due to personal family matters, my PI from my 2 years of neuroscience research is on sabbatical and wont be writing me a LOR. Do you think that will negatively impact my applications by not having a LOR from one of my research experiences? The other letters are strong, I know that. 2 research and one character, did well letter. 

 

I have letters from my 

PI that I worked with for 6 months (Also my academic advisor, very strong letter)

PI that I worked with for 2 years at Stanford

O-Chem prof and academic advisor who I knew well (this is unfortunately more of a "good person and did well in my class" type of letter. 

It is totally fine to not have a LOR from one of your previous PIs (especially because you have letters from your other PIs).  This happens for all sorts of reasons and you can explain the situation, if asked, during interviews.  I doubt you will even be asked, though.

[bsrhng]

This is reposted from a topic on The Menu.

 

I'm studying in the UK and applying for PhD positions in the US starting next fall. My goal is to get into a computational/theoretical neuroscience program and work in memory/learning/synaptic plasticity. I would appreciate some comments on my profile.

 

Degrees: I have an integrated Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence from a top UK university in computer science (top 12 worldwide according to QS) (upper second class, ~68%). I'm currently doing a 2-year MSc in Mathematics at a top 4 UK university in maths and top 25 worldwide in maths (again according to QS). I will likely get upper second class as well (between 60 and 70).

 

Courses: I took some tough, very rigorous courses in maths but my marks were generally not very good in the first year (I am in my second year of the MSc now).

Here they are:

Measure theory ( D )

Qualitative theory of ODEs ( B )

Ergodic theory ( C )

Fourier Analysis ( C )

Functional Analysis I ( C )

Functional Analysis II ( A )

Relativity and Electrodynamics ( B )

Probability theory ( D ).

 

This year I'm taking (all graduate-level courses):

Stochastic analysis

Dynamical systems

Introduction to topology

Advanced PDEs

Brownian Motion

Advanced real analysis

Introduction to theoretical neuroscience

Mathematical Relativity.

 

At my first university I took all computational neuroscience courses available --- about 6 and I got an A on 4 of them and two B's.

 

Research:

1. Dissertation in computational neuroscience for my Master's degree in AI (Mark: A, 73).

2. First year project in computational biology for my MSc in Mathematcs (Mark: A, 87).

3. Dissertation (second year) in theoretical neuroscience for my MSc in Mathematics (Ongoing). This one is relevant since it is directly on topic (synaptic plasticity).

 

I have no publications. I had to publish my first dissertation as a first author but never got around to do it.

 

Letters of Recommendation: (correspond to the research experience above)

1. My supervisor is a Reader and very enthusiastic about me. Well-known in the field. Has written very good recommendation letters for me at least 5 times and always sends them to me to read.

2. My supervisor is again a Reader, co-director of Systems Biology Centre, very enthusiastic. In a different field. Also wrote a couple of recommendation letters for me and sent them to me.

3. Just starting out so I don't expect a great recommendation. He is also a Reader and a very well-known researcher.

 

GRE:

Q: 163

V: 163

A: 4.5

 

Programming: I did AI and Computer Science so I'm comfortable with many languages (Matlab, Mathematica, python etc.). Have worked with frameworks popular in computational neuroscience.

 

Extra:

- I attended several big summer schools in computational neuroscience with the majority of accepted students being PhD students. I attended one of the top summer schools in learning and memory with many top researchers as lecturers and the school itself was fully funded (accommodation plus food plus trips minus travel to Asia). I got a travel grant from INCF. There was also a small research project that I can talk about in my statement of purpose.

- I attended another fully funded top summer school on memory but from a broader perspective including philosophy (this time travel expenses were covered).

- I presented two posters on two separate summer schools.

- I sat on the Board of Studies at my first university.

 

Programs I applied to:

1. MIT

2. NYU

3. UCSD

4. Columbia

 

Questions:

1. Do you think my profile would be good enough for the universities I have chosen?

2. Do you think my marks and my GRE would significantly hurt my chances?

3. What other programs would you suggest are suitable for my profile?

 

I am a bit worried about my grades and GRE. These could be corrected if I wait another year but what do you make of the rest of the profile?

[NWFreeheel11]

Questions:

1. Do you think my profile would be good enough for the universities I have chosen?

2. Do you think my marks and my GRE would significantly hurt my chances?

3. What other programs would you suggest are suitable for my profile?

 

I am a bit worried about my grades and GRE. These could be corrected if I wait another year but what do you make of the rest of the profile?

 

Your GRE is fine. Leave it and dont worry about that. 

 

You have chosen some very competitive schools. MIT, UCSD, and Columbia are three of the best neuro programs in the US. Given that you want to work on Comp Neuro, I would recommend trying to bring up your grades. Your grades won't give review committees much confidence in your ability to succeed in course work.

 

If your LOR are strong for research, then thats great, but you also have to be able to pass the coursework portion of the program and nearly all schools have a requirement to have a minimum of a B average (>80%) and you have not done that in many classes. Your grades for both your MSc are not strong enough to pass the grade requirements for PhD programs. 

 

Maybe look into some less known state school in the US, or work on bringing your grades up?

[bsrhng]

Thanks for your reply.

 

Just to clarify, UK universities have a different marking scheme which is this:

 

A: 70-100

B: 60-70

C: 50-60

D: 40-50

Fail: 0-40

 

So I actually have a B average for the whole year because the two A's that I got were quite high. My question would then be to what extent would research and the other related extra-curricular activities ( very good summer schools ) offset my marks?

 

At my first university I took some graduate courses which were much better and also very relevant:

Advanced Vision: A

Natural Language Understanding: A

Machin Learning and Pattern Recognition: B

Computational Neurosciene of Vision: A

Computational Cognitive Neuroscience: A

Probabilistic Modeling and Reasoning: B

Neural Computation: B

Neural Information Processing: B

Bioinformatics 1: A
Bioinformatics 2: A

Information Theory: A

Edited December 2, 2014 by bsrhng

[NWFreeheel11]

Thanks for your reply.

 

Just to clarify, UK universities have a different marking scheme which is this:

 

A: 70-100

B: 60-70

C: 50-60

D: 40-50

Fail: 0-40

 

So I actually have a B average for the whole year because the two A's that I got were quite high. My question would then be to what extent would research and the other related extra-curricular activities ( very good summer schools ) offset my marks?

 

Gottcha. 

 

Research is the number one factor, and looks like you have quite a bit of experience, so that could help a ton. If you have strong LOR also, then you should be in a good spot. I would, however, apply to some programs that are not considered amongst the strongest in the world, just to mix up your list and add a little more confidence to your applications. A quick google search will show you lots of programs doing what you want to be doing. 

[gliaful]

Undergrad Institution: Big state school. Anyway, I don't think this plays much of a role for anyone -- it's the school's reputation, not yours.
Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): Mathematics
GPA in Major: 3.85
Overall GPA: 3.83
Position in Class: Top 5%. I only know this because I was nominated for commencement speaker (I rejected this), and this is the criterion used.
Type of Student: Domestic female

GRE Scores (revised):
Q: 168, 95th percentile
V: 164, 93th
W: 6.0, 99th


Research Experience: One year in a developmental biology lab, studying skeletal/cartilage development. Lab lacks a postdoc and my two labmates are grad students. Hence, this experience has been independent -- which was initially frustrating, as it would have been nice to have been shown how to do a few things. I proposed and attained funding for my own project after the finishing up a project for a past grad student. I will be working full-time in my lab next semester (spring 2015), for a total of 1.5 years of research experience.

 

I have a first-author publication, but it's a review. I'm not sure if this makes it more or less significant. Certainly it signifies that my research has not been extensive enough to lead to a publication; nonetheless, reviews require a thorough (and yet concise) compilation of the current literature.

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: I've been awarded three (smallish) grants, so I'm familiar with the process of applying. I'm also familiar with rejection

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: I'm an adjunct faculty in the math department at my school. This is my last semester of undergrad and they asked me to apply. I'm teaching an algebra course and will be next semester as well.

 

I've tutored math for the university's drop-in tutoring center since August 2011. I was a teaching assistant for Calc III (Multivariable & Vector Calc) for the 2012-2013 academic year, and a teaching assistant for Organic Chemistry during the 2013-2014 year.

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help: I'm a certified pharmacy tech in my state and have been since Jan 2010 (when I was a high school senior). I worked in a hospital pharmacy preparing IV infusions and compounding oral formulations for 3 years.

Special Bonus Points: Ain't got none of these here points.

Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter: I have a W in a 400-level math course. I withdrew because I realized that I needed to graduate (because I didn't have enough loans for this full academic year). I was a biology & math double major up until this point. Knowing that I would be going on in biology and that math was just a creative outlet, I dropped to a minor in math (although I'm 6 credits away from the degree...)

Applying to Where:

 

I have submitted applications for the following programs:

Brandeis - Neuroscience

University of Washington - Neurobiology & Behavior

Univ of Utah - Neuroscience

Oregon Health and Science Univ - Neuroscience

CU Anschutz - Neuroscience

Vanderbilt - Neuroscience (NGP)

Univ of Pittsburgh - Neuroscience

Univ of Iowa - Neuroscience

[Chrissymisha]

Yay I was hoping someone would start this. My interest is in Neurodegeneration specifically Parkinson's/ALS but because I come from a heavily Cell/Molecular background I would be interested in getting any neuroscience training at all. I'm worried that never taking an actual neuroscience class is going to hurt me though, so any program where I can list a CMB specialization if I don't get accepted into the neuro program I will.

 

Undergrad Institution: Small state school

Major: Biology

Minor: Chemistry

GPA in major: 3.97

Overall GPA: 3.98

Position in Class: Top 1-5%? Graduated summa cum laude but I don't think my school does any sort of ranking.

 

Graduate Institution: UT Health Science Center at San Antonio

Degree: M.S. in Cell and Structural Biology (still attending/will finish in May hopefully)

GPA: 4.0

Type of Student: Female, minority (Hispanic)

 

GRE Scores

Q: 162 (83%)

V: 163 (92%)

A: 5.5 (98%)

B: 770 (78%) Didn't report this to anyone. I figured a mediocre score would make my call my high GPA into question.

 

Research Experience:

1 year in undergrad doing basic molecular biology techniques: WB, cell culture, etc. Co-author on poster at institutional presentation. Will get a pretty good LOR though from PI. 

 

During summer in between undergrad and masters I worked as a research assistant in the same lab.

 

By the time I finish my masters I will have an additional 3 years of experience again in a cell/molecular biology lab doing some more advanced techniques. 2 posters at departmental retreats.  One LOR from my PI, additional one from a committee member/student adviser. All should be pretty good. 

 

Publications: one review as middle author published, one review as primary author accepted for publication. One manuscript where I'm sixth author (last out of students, but hey it's something) just submitted for publication.

 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Departmental scholarships in undergrad and graduate school. I also successfully applied for an NIH diversity supplement to my PI's R01 grant. I'm hoping this is helpful and shows that I can write successful grants and also that it is possible for me to get this again.

 

Pertinent Jobs: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant (Yay for masters students getting funding!), Tutor at a Science Center and privately for molecular biology.

 

Applying to:

Weill Cornell-neuroscience or Allied

UPenn-neuro

Baylor College of Medicine- Neuro or MCB

UTSW 

UTHSCSA (this one is practically a guaranteed acceptance)

Columbia- Neurobiology and Behavior

Northwestern- DGP

Georgetown University- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience

UNC-Chapel Hill

University of Virginia

Emory

Brown-NIH

 

For any future applicant lurking through this thread: seriously consider if you want to apply to 10+ programs. I still have 3 left to do, and I'm exhausted. I've spent a small fortune, and I'm worried that I haven't given each application the necessary amount of time. That said I would be really happy at all of these schools even my so called "safety" ones, so as long as I'm accepted into one I'll be happy. I am worried that there are too many "reach" schools that I have no business applying to and that I maybe passed on applying to a good school I could get into. It's just so difficult to judge how competitive someone is. 

[gliaful]

Yay I was hoping someone would start this. My interest is in Neurodegeneration specifically Parkinson's/ALS but because I come from a heavily Cell/Molecular background I would be interested in getting any neuroscience tra ining at all. I'm worried that never taking an actual neuroscience class is going to hurt me though, so any program where I can list a CMB specialization if I don't get accepted into the neuro program I will.

 

Ugh, me too. I've taken one class (rather, I am enrolled in the course this semester), and I felt a lot of pressure in writing my SOP to convey my interest in neuroscience and how that interest developed.

My research experience is almost as irrelevant as possible (within molecular biology subfields) and lately I've been feeling insecure.

[NWFreeheel11]

Ugh, me too. I've taken one class (rather, I am enrolled in the course this semester), and I felt a lot of pressure in writing my SOP to convey my interest in neuroscience and how that interest developed.

My research experience is almost as irrelevant as possible (within molecular biology subfields) and lately I've been feeling insecure.

 

Most neuroscience programs say they welcome applications from CS, engineering, biology, etc. backgrounds. You dont have to have a neuroscience background to be competitive. A good background in biology and a strong explanation of why neuroscience and you should be ok. I have never taken a course in neuroscience either. 

 

I have two years of technology entrepreneurship research and I spun it to be connected to my story and my passion. Its all about the narrative and potential for research. 

 

If you know the tedium of research and are still passionate, then you are a qualified applicant. Unless you publish in neuroscience, it wont make a huge difference. 

[NWFreeheel11]

For any future applicant lurking through this thread: seriously consider if you want to apply to 10+ programs. I still have 3 left to do, and I'm exhausted. I've spent a small fortune, and I'm worried that I haven't given each application the necessary amount of time. That said I would be really happy at all of these schools even my so called "safety" ones, so as long as I'm accepted into one I'll be happy. I am worried that there are too many "reach" schools that I have no business applying to and that I maybe passed on applying to a good school I could get into. It's just so difficult to judge how competitive someone is. 

 

I applied to 13 programs. It takes a while, but the investment cost is well worth the payoff. Grad school admissions are a large part random, so the more apps the better your chances. What is a total $1000 investment for a PhD. Cheaper than anything else, I'll tell ya that. 

 

[Chrissymisha]

 

I applied to 13 programs. It takes a while, but the investment cost is well worth the payoff. Grad school admissions are a large part random, so the more apps the better your chances. What is a total $1000 investment for a PhD. Cheaper than anything else, I'll tell ya that. 

 

 

 

I don't disagree, and I worked really hard to save up so that the financial aspect wouldn't be a factor. I also lost time that I had planned on working on my apps due to a family emergency and then getting sick myself. I ended up losing about a week and a half at the beginning of November, so had things gone more according to plan, it might not have been so bad. Of course I still don't know how this is going to work out, so my opinion is only worth so much at this point, but I will say that I wouldn't apply to 10+ programs just for the sake of increasing your chances by applying to as many as possible. I actually had about 4-5 other programs I was looking at, but I limited myself to the 12 I really liked based on research fit, location, etc. and dismissed the ones I was only casually interested in. 

[NWFreeheel11]

I don't disagree, and I worked really hard to save up so that the financial aspect wouldn't be a factor. I also lost time that I had planned on working on my apps due to a family emergency and then getting sick myself. I ended up losing about a week and a half at the beginning of November, so had things gone more according to plan, it might not have been so bad. Of course I still don't know how this is going to work out, so my opinion is only worth so much at this point, but I will say that I wouldn't apply to 10+ programs just for the sake of increasing your chances by applying to as many as possible. I actually had about 4-5 other programs I was looking at, but I limited myself to the 12 I really liked based on research fit, location, etc. and dismissed the ones I was only casually interested in. 

 

You should read this post. Matt Might is a prof of CS and Utah and it is a good recap about getting into grad school. Check out the "do the math" section

 

http://matt.might.net/articles/how-to-apply-and-get-in-to-graduate-school-in-science-mathematics-engineering-or-computer-science/

[gliaful]

You should read this post. Matt Might is a prof of CS and Utah and it is a good recap about getting into grad school. Check out the "do the math" section

 

http://matt.might.net/articles/how-to-apply-and-get-in-to-graduate-school-in-science-mathematics-engineering-or-computer-science/

Somewhat unrelated question (reading this made me think of it) that may be better placed elsewhere:

Are applications reviewed in the order in which they were received? (At non-rolling admissions schools?)

[bsrhng]

You should read this post. Matt Might is a prof of CS and Utah and it is a good recap about getting into grad school. Check out the "do the math" section

 

http://matt.might.net/articles/how-to-apply-and-get-in-to-graduate-school-in-science-mathematics-engineering-or-computer-science/

 

I think the uniform distribution makes for a rather simple model of grad school admissions

 

I would be willing to increase my chances by waiting out a year and apply to the same programs than not do what I want. Although I really want to do research, I don't want to do just any research.

 

Although to be honest, there was one guy on the same topic one or two years ago who apparently got into only two PhD programs out of 13, but one of which was Caltech. I can't really wrap my head around this.