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


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Posted

Our topic got pushed to the second page :unsure:

 

Anyway, I had a question about something that I recently noticed at my 3rd interview -- maybe you've noticed it as well?

 

We talk about "fit" a lot on gradcafe, and I mostly understood it to mean how well an applicant's research interests fit with those represented by the faculty within a program. At my interview this past weekend, although my research interests matched the strengths of the program and the faculty were easy to talk to, I felt that I did not fit in with the other interviewees personality-wise. I know that getting along with the current grad students is important, but I did not consider the possibility or importance of not getting along as well with the other prospective members of the entering class. At my first two interviews, I really enjoyed everyone's company (the other interviewees, the grad students, the faculty, everyone). At this one, though, I began to wonder if different schools appeal to different personalities to a noticeable degree. Has anyone else noticed this?

Posted

Our topic got pushed to the second page :unsure:

 

Anyway, I had a question about something that I recently noticed at my 3rd interview -- maybe you've noticed it as well?

 

We talk about "fit" a lot on gradcafe, and I mostly understood it to mean how well an applicant's research interests fit with those represented by the faculty within a program. At my interview this past weekend, although my research interests matched the strengths of the program and the faculty were easy to talk to, I felt that I did not fit in with the other interviewees personality-wise. I know that getting along with the current grad students is important, but I did not consider the possibility or importance of not getting along as well with the other prospective members of the entering class. At my first two interviews, I really enjoyed everyone's company (the other interviewees, the grad students, the faculty, everyone). At this one, though, I began to wonder if different schools appeal to different personalities to a noticeable degree. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

I've only gone to one interview so far so I have nothing to compare my experience to, but I definitely see the importance of getting along with other people - at least for mental health maintenance in the future. I really got along with a lot of people at the first interview I've been to, and I now know that is something I am going to be cognizant of when I am interviewing at other locations. I think, for some people, it is an important aspect of fit to consider, but it may not be as important as other factors - I guess it really depends on the person.

 

Overall, I think it will fit into how I will decide on a location if I end up with multiple offers. You are not alone in considering it as an important factor!

Posted

I heard back from CMU in January-

 

Carnegie Mellon, right??

 

interview dates Feb. 4-7 and Feb 18-21

 

I wasn't invited to UW's interview dates, but I'm afraid to call and ask about my application status. I'm super late to gradcafe, I just made my account today because I went to find UW's interview dates (to be sure I missed them or not) and they already have the site ready for next year. :(

 

Anyone heard back from U Chicago yet?

Hey, sorry but yeah UChicago's interviews ended a week ago :(

Good luck with the rest!

Posted

Our topic got pushed to the second page :unsure:

 

Anyway, I had a question about something that I recently noticed at my 3rd interview -- maybe you've noticed it as well?

 

We talk about "fit" a lot on gradcafe, and I mostly understood it to mean how well an applicant's research interests fit with those represented by the faculty within a program. At my interview this past weekend, although my research interests matched the strengths of the program and the faculty were easy to talk to, I felt that I did not fit in with the other interviewees personality-wise. I know that getting along with the current grad students is important, but I did not consider the possibility or importance of not getting along as well with the other prospective members of the entering class. At my first two interviews, I really enjoyed everyone's company (the other interviewees, the grad students, the faculty, everyone). At this one, though, I began to wonder if different schools appeal to different personalities to a noticeable degree. Has anyone else noticed this?

When I think about fit I also include things outside research fit. Mostly how I interact with the professor and current students more than other interviewees (for all I know they might end up attending other schools). I think about things like, could I find myself trying to work or collaborate with them? Would these people be good mentors? Are the professors concerned with the students' development as much as (or more than) producing data no matter what? etc etc etc... 

Hope this helps!

Posted

Our topic got pushed to the second page :unsure:

 

Anyway, I had a question about something that I recently noticed at my 3rd interview -- maybe you've noticed it as well?

 

We talk about "fit" a lot on gradcafe, and I mostly understood it to mean how well an applicant's research interests fit with those represented by the faculty within a program. At my interview this past weekend, although my research interests matched the strengths of the program and the faculty were easy to talk to, I felt that I did not fit in with the other interviewees personality-wise. I know that getting along with the current grad students is important, but I did not consider the possibility or importance of not getting along as well with the other prospective members of the entering class. At my first two interviews, I really enjoyed everyone's company (the other interviewees, the grad students, the faculty, everyone). At this one, though, I began to wonder if different schools appeal to different personalities to a noticeable degree. Has anyone else noticed this?

Fit is definitely more than academic interests. Fit includes that, but also incorporates a general attitude towards life and the academy.

As an example: One university may foster a very cooperative environment where different professors are expected to be highly collaborative in the hopes that they will augment gaps in each other's knowledge. Another may expect professors to instead compete with each other in the hopes that the pressure leads to greater output. Some people will fit better with the former, others with the latter.

If you don't like that one, another example that comes to mind is how the program treats career goals. One university may only want students who wish to continue in academia and wishes to train future professors. Another university may be perfectly content if its students leave for industry or governmental work instead and will try to build a network outside of the university system.

 

While compatible research interests are important that is very much not the limit for what fit entails. So, yes, different universities will appeal to different personalities. I know graduate students at public universities who have turned down offers from the Ivy League because of this.

 

You didn't explicitly ask this, but if you got along well with the personalities at one university and didn't at a different one, that is a perfectly valid reason to pick one program over another. You have to go where you can succeed and you are going to want to get along with the people in your cohort.

Posted

Does anyone know if USC is still sending out interview invites?

 

I'm not sure about their neuroscience program, but I personally have not heard anything from their brain and cognitive science program (within the psych dept.) At this point I'm thinking I might be waitlisted (best scenario) or I will be notified of rejection later on. 

Posted

Yes! Carnegie Mellon...are the dates you mentioned for the CNBC doctoral program?  I'm sorry I wasn't very clear in my initial post.  I'm wondering about CMU's Psychology PhD program.  I applied emphasizing cognitive neuroscience and also, applied to their CNBC training program...

 

I am waiting on the CNBC prgram too...

Posted

Hey, sorry but yeah UChicago's interviews ended a week ago :(

Good luck with the rest!

 

I did not hear anything from U Chicago either. Does that mean I am wait-listed?

Posted

While compatible research interests are important that is very much not the limit for what fit entails. So, yes, different universities will appeal to different personalities. I know graduate students at public universities who have turned down offers from the Ivy League because of this.

 

I am in this position where I will most likely turn down Ivys for a public university (albiet a good one, University of Washington) due to fit. However, I am curious whether undergrad presitge has any effect on job offers/careers post-PhD. They sound fancy to non-scientists but within academia, is there any bias (perhaps even unconscious) towards Ivy League schools?

Posted

I am in this position where I will most likely turn down Ivys for a public university (albiet a good one, University of Washington) due to fit. However, I am curious whether undergrad presitge has any effect on job offers/careers post-PhD. They sound fancy to non-scientists but within academia, is there any bias (perhaps even unconscious) towards Ivy League schools?

 

I can answer definitively yes to this. I worked at Stanford for two years with a professor I was very close with. He told me that if there are two candidates who are equal in research and publications, they will always hire the person with the better pedigree because it makes the school look better and helps them be more competitive for nearly everything. 

 

Of course, if there is someone who has better research/publications, they will always win because all that REALLY matters is research performance. But all else considered equal, the better name degree wins. 

Posted

I did not hear anything from U Chicago either. Does that mean I am wait-listed?

I don't know, I am not sure. They have not sent acceptances or rejections yet! 

Posted

I haven't been to the interview yet -- but I met someone at a different interview, who did her undergrad at Pitt, and she really likes the campus and program. That's all I know, though. I'm excited to visit and I can let you know how it is when I do go, if you'd like. Hopefully you'll hear back soon!

What did you think of Pitt?

Posted (edited)

What did you think of Pitt?

Pitt has a great program that's extremely well-funded -- they're the 5th biggest recipient of NIH funding -- and the city of Pittsburgh is beautiful. The joint program with Carnegie Mellon adds to the research diversity, although much of that is behavioral (CNBC). All of my student escorts were friendly and spoke positively about the program. Edited by pasteltomato
Posted

Anyone who interviewed with the NTP at University of Wisconsin Madison know when they're going to send acceptance/rejection letters? I'm honestly dying inside waiting...

Posted

Anyone who interviewed with the NTP at University of Wisconsin Madison know when they're going to send acceptance/rejection letters? I'm honestly dying inside waiting...

I have no idea, but I'm in the same boat! Somebody posted on the results that they had been waitlisted via email, but they're the only one to post anything. I'm so anxious :(

Posted (edited)

I have no idea, but I'm in the same boat! Somebody posted on the results that they had been waitlisted via email, but they're the only one to post anything. I'm so anxious :(

Yea exactly! It was my only interview so my life is kinda dependent on it haha. I haven't gotten an email which only makes me worry more. In previous years it looks like they sent the emails/phone calls on the 19th/20th. Let's hope Monday is a good news type of day!

Edited by astrocyticmonkey
Posted

I interviewed at Northwestern during their first session (1/15-1/16) and haven't heard anything. I think they admit their "top picks" the week after each interview session, and will save making a decision about the rest until they have finished all the interviews (last session is this weekend). 

I interviewed recently. They said out of 80-85 interviews they plan on accepting nearly 70 and expecting about 20-25 to matriculate. They said chances after interview were pretty high unless there was an obvious lack of fit. 

Posted

I interviewed recently. They said out of 80-85 interviews they plan on accepting nearly 70 and expecting about 20-25 to matriculate. They said chances after interview were pretty high unless there was an obvious lack of fit. 

 

Thanks for the info. I definitely wasn't a good fit there, so not surprised by the lack of response.

Posted

Yea exactly! It was my only interview so my life is kinda dependent on it haha. I haven't gotten an email which only makes me worry more. In previous years it looks like they sent the emails/phone calls on the 19th/20th. Let's hope Monday is a good news type of day!

 

BTW, I emailed Tera (to check if she had received my reimbursement paperwork as well), and she said the admissions committee will be sending out their decisions this week. Although knowing this may make waiting actually worse haha.

Posted

Has anyone who interviewed for Dartmouth's PBS program heard any news yet (either way)?

No, I haven't heard of anything post-interview for Dartmouth PBS or for Texas A&M (TAMIN). I haven't heard anything in general (no interview) for BU's GPN.

Have you heard back from Dartmouth yet?

Has anyone else heard back from any of these? The silence is driving me crazy  :(

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