Chances of an acceptance after an interview; Neuroscience Ph.D.

[arp265]

Hey All,

I was wondering if any of you had an idea of about what percentage of students interviewed receive acceptance. I applied to 6 Ph.D. programs for Neuroscience and so far have only heard back from one (interview at UPenn)... so this may be my only chance! Just wondering if they tend to accept half, most, or almost all students interviewed??

Thanks!

[dzk]

This is a total guess, but I would think that Penn will accept more than 50% because they're recruiting from the same pool of students as schools like Harvard, UCSD, Yale, etc.

Are you doing January or February?

[NeuroNerd86]

Chances for acceptance after interview are usually pretty high from what I've been told by my friends and labmates - that is, if they like you in person. PhD interviews are fortunately not like the ones for med school - they don't test us much, but rather see what we are.

[arp265]

This is a total guess, but I would think that Penn will accept more than 50% because they're recruiting from the same pool of students as schools like Harvard, UCSD, Yale, etc.

Are you doing January or February?

January. Anyone else out there?

I would guess that they accept over 50% since for each interviewee they have to spend quite a lot of money just to host us.... but i was hoping someone would say in the 90% range .... orrrr higher ? :)

My guess is somewhere around 80%... (is this too optimistic?)

[socialpsych]

Totally depends on the school. Sometimes they will tell you, either before or at the interview. Last year, I was invited to an interview that openly had a virtually 100% acceptance | interview rate (the interview was just to make sure nothing was wrong on either side) and one that openly had a 20% rate, and one that didn't tell applicants anything but ended up accepting something like 10% of interviewees. I know of another program whose rate is around 30-60%. So it's all over the map.

Sorry to say, these are all programs that pay for airfare, hotel rooms, and some food for applicants, so I don't think the money they are spending is necessarily indicative of their acceptance rate.

I should say that none of these are neuro programs, which may operate very differently!

[dzk]

January. Anyone else out there?

I'll see you there, then!

My guess is somewhere around 80%... (is this too optimistic?)

Probably too optimistic, but it's impossible to know unless we get someone from within the program on here.

Edited January 9, 2010 by iggy

[Joe29]

Hey,

I know someone on an admissions committee for an excellent neuroscience program. They say the chances of acceptance once you have an interview are around 75-80%.

GL

[arp265]

Hey,

I know someone on an admissions committee for an excellent neuroscience program. They say the chances of acceptance once you have an interview are around 75-80%.

GL

Thank you for posting that!

[Neuropanda]

As an example, (but maybe not the rule) a neuroscience website, "Historically, we receive ~140 applications of which we invite 25-30 applicants for interviews, we accept 60-70% of those we interview, and we are accepted by 50-60% of those we accept."

 

For whatever that is worth.

 

[lab ratta-tat-tat]

During your interview you will of course want to highlight all the awesome stuff about your resume. If you have research experience, talk about it, even if it is to students already in the program- I say this because those students are on a "recruitment committee" this committee reports back to the adcom, graduate secretary, and other people who makes decisions. I am not saying be best friends with them- what I am saying is, treat the students as if they were faculty members, their decision and perception of you can weigh heavily into the schools decision on whether or not to admit you.

My PI sits on the admissions committee and says they accept 80% of people they interview. Sometimes they do not have a limit of people to accept but want as many stellar applicants they can get their hands on.

PM me for any info on recruitment, interviews, etc. I know the ins and outs of the committee seeing as though I work for the program I am applying and learned the ropes for 2 years prior to applying.

[laurend]

Just an update. This year Emory said

they got over 200 apps, will interview 50 for 18 spots.

[MoJingly]

50 interviewees for 18 spots? It's a fight to the death...

Just wondering, how many neuroscience interviewees are usually invited for one "interview weekend?" Are there 10 of you, sitting in a room, sipping coffee and giggling, or 75 of you glaring around the room and picking out your fiercest competition? I know it varies by school, just curious about what some experiences have been.

[neuropsych76]

50 interviewees for 18 spots? It's a fight to the death...

Just wondering, how many neuroscience interviewees are usually invited for one "interview weekend?" Are there 10 of you, sitting in a room, sipping coffee and giggling, or 75 of you glaring around the room and picking out your fiercest competition? I know it varies by school, just curious about what some experiences have been.

lol.

I'd like to know this too!

[Apt86]

Any guesses about UNC chapel Hill BBSP. I have an interview next week

[laurend]

From my knowledge and experience, usually it is pretty casual. Some people will be more formal than others, but generally it is one/two dozen people and you will probably be pretty friendly with some, but not all of them. Depends on the program. I am sure there are a few that invite everyone at once, and that is probably pretty intense. Generally, they are just trying to get an idea of who you are and what you are about and making sure there would be a good fit for you at that school.

However, a warning, do not be TOO casual. It is still an interview! Although most schools take the majority (60-75%) of who they interview, that still leaves a bunch of people that will not get offers! Just be calm and explain your research well and ask intelligent questions. That is really all anyone is looking for. Oh, and don't be the person who gets drunk and throws up or the socially awkward one who is afraid to talk to anyone. Make sure you get to know them too, they are the people you will spend 5 years with!

[AcceptanceLetter]

Acceptance rate varies widely by school, and somewhat by year. When I was interviewing the first time round (I was successful only on the second try), people gave me the whole "they're spending so much money on you because they think you're really awesome" spiel and it turned out to be a HUGE mistake. I was overconfident, which led to a whole bunch of mistakes that I'm ashamed to admit, like dressing super casually (I freaked out the first morning of interviews because everyone was in office wear, while I was in a casual cardigan), replying to invites late, failing to thank profs after the interview, etc...

Turns out there are some schools that only accept a very select few of their interviewees (while there are those accept practically all of them).

My advice would be to disregard the acceptance rates, and just do your best!

[2am_frosty]

Hey All,

I was wondering if any of you had an idea of about what percentage of students interviewed receive acceptance. I applied to 6 Ph.D. programs for Neuroscience and so far have only heard back from one (interview at UPenn)... so this may be my only chance! Just wondering if they tend to accept half, most, or almost all students interviewed??

Thanks!

did you hear back from some other schools? I'm on the same boat as you. I applied to 7 programs (6 schools) for neuroscience. and so far have only 1 interview. is UPenn your first choice? i got an invite from my top choice, but it only makes me feel more anxious and nervous. crap. good luck to you. let me know how it goes down!!!

[towelisgood]

I found this website to be very handy for these sorts of questions. It's specific right down to the program, though I'm not sure what their source is...

http://www.petersons.com/