Publications required to be competitive for neuro Ph.D. programs

[ng1]

I am currently working on my applications for neuro ph.d. programs and am wondering if not having any publications will make me less competitive. I completed a research thesis in my undergrad that I presented at SfN and have my name on a few posters. I currently work in industry where publications are just not as common. 

 

I have 3.9 GPA from a good research university and high GRE scores (161 verbal, 166 quant, 5.0 writing) and am wondering if this will be a large factor in programs such as the Harvard PiN program and other top programs.

[fuzzylogician]

The vast majority of applicants will not have any publications. So having one might help (though frankly the research experience--and being able to talk about it in a coherent way--will matter much more than the actual publication, in most cases), but not having one won't hold you back. You'll just start from the same point as basically everyone else.