Behavioral/Cognitive Neuroscience

[LaraAnn85]

After a lot of deliberation, I chose Arizona State! I'll be starting a PhD in behavioral neuroscience this fall, I'm pretty excited! :mrgreen:

[FastForward]

Anyone left on the discussion boards ? I squeezed myseld into NYU's master program in general psychology. I am happy, excited and all but the program is very expensive so I got reservations. Would love to hear back from NYU psych folks about the reputation of NYU within the field (master's in particular) and the track record of the program.

[Undecisive1]

Hi,

I'm a psychobio major graduating next year and kinda lost about the whole graduate school program applying process. I've been goggling schools and programs for behavioral neuroscience but I don't really know anyone going through the same thing and wondering if anyone has any advice. I plan to apply for next fall...do I even have enough time ( i havent exactly taken my GRE's yet)?? If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[rising_star]

Hi,

I'm a psychobio major graduating next year and kinda lost about the whole graduate school program applying process. I've been goggling schools and programs for behavioral neuroscience but I don't really know anyone going through the same thing and wondering if anyone has any advice. I plan to apply for next fall...do I even have enough time ( i havent exactly taken my GRE's yet)?? If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

You've still got time. You just need to sign up for the GREs soon and start drafting your personal statement.

[Undecisive1]

Really..good, thanks... im really hoping on going in the fall (2009) but I'm pretty lost. I currently go to Binghamton University and have been doing research for 3 years now, my gpa is a 3.5 and I'm hoping it will increase a little with this semesters grades. I'm not so sure of what programs are out there...I don't want to stay in Binghamton and I'm willing to go as far as California ( just would prefer to be in a more city area) so I have just been searching programs but hope I am not overlooking any in the process.I want to stay realistic though I read previous posts about UCSD and Stanford which I think are little bit of a reach for me, one of the schools I am considering now is Boston College. Does anyone have any suggestions for some programs in Behavior Neuroscience I am planning to apply to somewhere between 8-10?

[Gyan Veda]

Any admits to Harvard's psychology program? I think it would be great if we got to know who could be part of our cohort. Join the facebook group, Harvard Psychology Admits 2009 at http://www.facebook.com/groups/create.p ... 9841393631.

[mouse]

I can't believe this hasn't been bumped for 2010. Anyone on here?

[Crystalizedjade]

We're here. I applied pretty much only to cog neuro programs with a couple developmental. Got interviews with 3 unis, but the process is super annoying because I'm international and have to wait 1-2 weeks between emails to set up phone interviews because the profs are so busy. Argh.

[mouse]

Yikes! As if the application process weren't nightmarish enough...

[Crystalizedjade]

I know! Because then you get paranoid. "Maybe he thought about it and didn't end up liking me" lol. I wish I could just go to the interview weekend, talk to everyone, and then it would be over. So far I've just talked to the POIs at the 3 unis and am waiting for a stupid email going "ok, can we do a phone interview with you next week" or whatever. ARGH! And I can't assume that if they are slow they don't want me, because one prof made me wait over 2 weeks just to say the uni was still very interested and wanted to schedule more interview (it's been almost two weeks since that email). LOL, as if I'm not under enough stress!

[cogneuroforfun]

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask here or message me. I interviewed at two psychology programs (UCLA and UPenn) and three neuroscience/cognitive neuroscience programs (Yale, NYU, Duke), so I can hopefully give a little insight.

[Crystalizedjade]

I haven't seen much at all from people applying to behavioral/Cognitive Neuroscience programs. Is anybody else out there? The following are the programs to which I applied:

University of Washington - Seattle

Binghamton University (SUNY)

Harvard University

American University

Boston College

University of Memphis

Hope to hear from someone!

I applied to Harvard, but haven't heard anything yet. I'm fully expecting them to reject me though. I'm shocked I haven't been rejected yet. I have great scores and GPA, but no publications.

[mouse]

Cogneuroforfun: I'm interviewing for your program in three weeks! We haven't gotten our detailed schedule yet, but I'm really excited (and, yeah, a little terrified) to meet everyone. How did it compare to UCLA on your visits, and what made you ultimately choose Yale? Also, now that you're there, how do you like it?

Crystalizedjade: I haven't heard from the big H, either, and based on the results search, it looks like we probably won't know anything until late February or even March. Did you apply to CBB?

[cogneuroforfun]

Cogneuroforfun: I'm interviewing for your program in three weeks! We haven't gotten our detailed schedule yet, but I'm really excited (and, yeah, a little terrified) to meet everyone. How did it compare to UCLA on your visits, and what made you ultimately choose Yale? Also, now that you're there, how do you like it?

One of the big differences was that UCLA was very course-oriented and Yale was definitely not (and both programs were up-front about this). You'll learn more when you visit, but at Yale you take basically 6.5 classes your whole time here, and can reasonably finish all your classes by the end of your second year. I don't remember specifics, but UCLA had many more courses and requirements, which is good in that you can pick up a lot of knowledge and skills in a structured way, but bad when you really just want to get your research going. UCLA psychology also required TA'ing every semester, unless you had outside support, while Yale requires two semesters of TA'ing. That's another cost/benefit thing, because teaching experience is important (I think) in terms of being a good faculty member down the road, but takes up a good chunk of time. Yale also has rotations, which I favored. But it really came down to which PI and lab I was most excited about.

So far, everything has been better than I hoped. I'm in my second rotation and have really liked both labs, but I'm pretty sure which one I'll be joining. Everyone talked about how bad the winter would be, but it really isn't that bad (and this is coming from someone who lived where it never ever snows until moving here). That said, its currently 70 degrees and sunny back home, so "not that bad" is definitely relative. All the students and faculty have been supportive and friendly. I think New Haven's reputation is worse than reality. I think things have gotten much better in the past 20 or so years. There are some pretty shady, impoverished areas nearby, but I haven't felt unsafe in any of the areas that I'll ever normally go to in New Haven (downtown, university area, East Rock) or in nearby towns (Hamden, Orange, etc.). If you have any specific concerns, I can probably speak to them, but otherwise nothing negative comes to mind.

[drcogsci]

I was getting such a lovely buzz from reading this thread, until I noticed the 2009 tags. Curses, now I feel alone again. Cogneuroforfun, would you mind giving a bit of info on your stats and academic background? You interviewed at all the places I wish had contacted me by now.

[cogneuroforfun]

I was getting such a lovely buzz from reading this thread, until I noticed the 2009 tags. Curses, now I feel alone again. Cogneuroforfun, would you mind giving a bit of info on your stats and academic background? You interviewed at all the places I wish had contacted me by now.

A lot of it is old, but there's a couple new people hanging around. And sure, I'll share: ~3.8 GPA, ~1450 GRE, 2.5 years in an unrelated psych lab, 1 year in a very relevant psych lab, honors thesis, no publications or anything, some graduate stats and data analysis courses. I applied only to places with people doing the specific subfield of cognitive neuroscience that I wanted. Stanford, Caltech, and Princeton rejected me outright, and at least with the latter two I think its because I was applying to work with some more computational neuroscience labs and didn't have the math background.

[drcogsci]

A lot of it is old, but there's a couple new people hanging around. And sure, I'll share: ~3.8 GPA, ~1450 GRE, 2.5 years in an unrelated psych lab, 1 year in a very relevant psych lab, honors thesis, no publications or anything, some graduate stats and data analysis courses. I applied only to places with people doing the specific subfield of cognitive neuroscience that I wanted. Stanford, Caltech, and Princeton rejected me outright, and at least with the latter two I think its because I was applying to work with some more computational neuroscience labs and didn't have the math background.

Aha. Good stuff. It looks like my lack of undergrad chem, bio, etc. is my major failing at the moment. Did you have that sort of experience in your background? I'm most cut up about my rejection from Duke's IPCN, so I'm wondering how much that played a role. Thanks!

[cogneuroforfun]

Aha. Good stuff. It looks like my lack of undergrad chem, bio, etc. is my major failing at the moment. Did you have that sort of experience in your background? I'm most cut up about my rejection from Duke's IPCN, so I'm wondering how much that played a role. Thanks!

No chem, a little bit of bio. I was applying to work with fMRI and monkey people, so lack of chem didn't hurt me I don't think. Did you contact faculty you were interested in before/after applying? Was there good match of interests between faculty there and yourself? Those are two things that I focused on that I feel helped, although I'm not sure how much.

[drcogsci]

No chem, a little bit of bio. I was applying to work with fMRI and monkey people, so lack of chem didn't hurt me I don't think. Did you contact faculty you were interested in before/after applying? Was there good match of interests between faculty there and yourself? Those are two things that I focused on that I feel helped, although I'm not sure how much.

Yep, that's what my real focus was. Fit really couldn't have been better, as far as Duke is concerned, my Masters is based very heavily on the work of my P(s)OI there. Contacted them too.

Interestingly, though, I didn't apply to Yale because they seemed to stress the importance of hard science background! Still, there're a couple more to go.

Thanks for the info!

[neuropsych76]

Hello fellow behavioral and cognitive neuroscience friends!

I'm interested in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience but unfortunately I don't have much neuro background being a psychology major (only one bio class, one neuro class, basic calculus,). However, one of my professors suggested that I apply to cognitive psychology programs with neuroimaging labs (what i'd like to work in) and some neuro classes in the curriculum.

Did any of you get into cognitive neuroscience this way or are all in strait neuroscience programs?

If anyone has been a similar situation as mine, would you be so kind to offer some advice on things I be aware of before I apply? I'm familiar with the whole process of the clinical psych phd application process (i'm also interested in clinical neuropsych) but I'm not sure how much it differs for cognitive psychology programs and those cognitive psych programs that focus on neuroscience.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[neuropsych76]

anyone??

[cogneuroforfun]

I'm not sure what your question is. Neuroimaging labs will have mostly psychology students, but probably a few neuroscience students as well. I was a psychology undergrad, applied to psychology and neuroscience programs, and ended up in a neuroscience program. However, I would have been doing the exact same research if I was in a psychology program, too. Applying to cognitive tracks is the same as applying to clinical tracks, but will likely be less competitive but have fewer openings.

The only advice I have to offer is that neuroscience programs will have many more non-cognitive people (molecular, cellular, behavioral), but also tend to be better funded (higher stipends, fewer teaching responsibilities). If you're interested in clinical psych too, it is probably best to be in a psychology department so you can interact with them. I was the opposite (more interested in cellular/molecular neuro than clinical/social psych), so I was attracted to neuroscience programs.

[LadyL]

I'm interested in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience but unfortunately I don't have much neuro background being a psychology major (only one bio class, one neuro class, basic calculus,). However, one of my professors suggested that I apply to cognitive psychology programs with neuroimaging labs (what i'd like to work in) and some neuro classes in the curriculum.

Did any of you get into cognitive neuroscience this way or are all in strait neuroscience programs?

I have a degree in Psych/English with only three semesters of bio. I have gotten interviews at all the neuroscience programs I applied to, and several psych programs that have a behavioral or cognitive neuroscience focus. My first admission was to a very course heavy neuroscience program where I will be one of very few people doing human imaging research. I think what qualifies me for these programs is my experience working in a structural imaging lab for a year, and a functional imaging lab for 2.5 years. I was lucky enough to train alongside the post docs in our lab and am proficient in fMRI data analysis, with authorship on a ton of posters (2 first author) and a 3rd author pub in press.

My impression is that psychology programs are more competitive than neuroscience and that the funding is better in neuroscience. I may be a more unique or novel applicant to neuroscience programs (which are still somewhat male dominated, versus psychology which is becoming extremely female dominated). It seems like every researcher is looking to expand into imaging and I've been told that the fact that I already have experience in task design and data analysis is really appealing.

In short, I was lucky to fall into a unique situation where I've been allowed to work "above my level" and I think that's what has compensated for my lack of coursework in the area. I highly recommend gaining practical experience in a field, not only so that you can confirm your interest in it before applying, but also because it demonstrates to programs that you can do the work.

[neuropsych76]

I'm not sure what your question is. Neuroimaging labs will have mostly psychology students, but probably a few neuroscience students as well. I was a psychology undergrad, applied to psychology and neuroscience programs, and ended up in a neuroscience program. However, I would have been doing the exact same research if I was in a psychology program, too. Applying to cognitive tracks is the same as applying to clinical tracks, but will likely be less competitive but have fewer openings.

The only advice I have to offer is that neuroscience programs will have many more non-cognitive people (molecular, cellular, behavioral), but also tend to be better funded (higher stipends, fewer teaching responsibilities). If you're interested in clinical psych too, it is probably best to be in a psychology department so you can interact with them. I was the opposite (more interested in cellular/molecular neuro than clinical/social psych), so I was attracted to neuroscience programs.

Thank you for the reply. I was just meaning how feasible is it to get into a neuroscience phd program with little neuroscience or biology coursework. Did you take classes like o-chem and bio and physics as a psych major?

I'm just really into cognitive neuroscience but only the neuroimaging and systems portion of it. I'm not into much of the molecular level so I didn't know if I could get into an actual neuroscience phd program or I would need to get into a cognitive psych phd program and work in a neuro imaging lab.

[neuropsych76]

I have a degree in Psych/English with only three semesters of bio. I have gotten interviews at all the neuroscience programs I applied to, and several psych programs that have a behavioral or cognitive neuroscience focus. My first admission was to a very course heavy neuroscience program where I will be one of very few people doing human imaging research. I think what qualifies me for these programs is my experience working in a structural imaging lab for a year, and a functional imaging lab for 2.5 years. I was lucky enough to train alongside the post docs in our lab and am proficient in fMRI data analysis, with authorship on a ton of posters (2 first author) and a 3rd author pub in press.

My impression is that psychology programs are more competitive than neuroscience and that the funding is better in neuroscience. I may be a more unique or novel applicant to neuroscience programs (which are still somewhat male dominated, versus psychology which is becoming extremely female dominated). It seems like every researcher is looking to expand into imaging and I've been told that the fact that I already have experience in task design and data analysis is really appealing.

In short, I was lucky to fall into a unique situation where I've been allowed to work "above my level" and I think that's what has compensated for my lack of coursework in the area. I highly recommend gaining practical experience in a field, not only so that you can confirm your interest in it before applying, but also because it demonstrates to programs that you can do the work.

Thank you for your reply. That's awesome you were able to receive such great imaging experience. So, you think neuroimaging experience would counteract not having taken courses in bio,chem, and physics? It seems like the experience should have the most weight.