Best schools for an undergraduate Neuroscience/Neurobiology major?

<p>I'm looking for a school with a strong Neuroscience/Neurobiology program. Undergraduate research is something I'd love to pursue, so that's a strong factor. Does anyone have any suggestions for specific schools that excel and/or are known in the scientific community for high quality neuroscience instruction and research? </p>

<p>Few more details, my current list stands at: UCB, UCSD, UCLA, UCSB, UCSC, UMich, Caltech, MIT, Harvey Mudd, Pomona, Bowdoin, Stanford, UPenn, and Brown. Check my chance me thread if you want more detail about me (<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1508050-chances-science-undergrad-new-post.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1508050-chances-science-undergrad-new-post.html&lt;/a&gt;), in short I'm a fairly strong applicant and looking for schools all over the selectivity spectrum as long as they have the program strength I'm looking for. Thanks! (FYI, if you post I'll chance you)</p>

<p>Additionally, I’m looking to fill out my list with more targets, any help would be greatly appreciated</p>

<p>For a target (assuming your stats put you in the range of those lottery schools on your list), you could consider U Rochester. Middle son’s stats were in the high upper range and he’s happily working in 2 labs there now after having completed his freshman year.</p>

<p>I’ve heard some great things about U Rochester, and your son’s experience sounds wonderful. My stats do put me in the range of the lottery schools (White female w/4.3 w/4.0uw 2250 SAT I 800w/770cr/680m last one should improve over the 700 into 730+ range after June 1st, great ECs working in prestigious labs, volunteering w/autistic girls, leadership positions in a variety of clubs, playing two sports, ect, check out my chance me for more details <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1508050-chances-science-undergrad-new-post.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1508050-chances-science-undergrad-new-post.html&lt;/a&gt;) , but realistically I know they can be crapshoots for admissions. Another factor is my parents are divorced, so while our income may seem high (140k combined), the cost of living in san diego plus a lack of assets beyond income will make paying anything over 20k a year really hard to swing without scholarships. Some of the UCs are in my target/safety range, and because they use the FAFSA instead of the Profile I’d get some significant financial aid (long story as to how that works, PM me for details). Anyways, I’d love to hear more about U Rochester, creekland. I would love to hear any more insider information you could provide :)</p>

<p>URoc could be worth an app as they offer merit aid, but it’ll be a crap shoot to know if they’ll come in less than your UC options. Obviously you’d bring some geographical diversity though it’s not uncommon to have kids from CA there. Undergrad research opportunities in all sorts of neuro “stuff” is what drew my guy there. They have neuro itself, brain and cognitive, and psych. He wasn’t totally sure which aspect he liked and is happy with the choices. </p>

<p>My suggestion is to get on their web site, look at profs in the department and see what they are researching. If you find things that interest you, consider an app and see how things work out financially.</p>

<p>Emory is another one to consider - as would be Pitt if you wanted large and urban. Both offer merit aid for high stats and have decent research opportunities.</p>

<p>@Creekland, the UCs are so cash strapped it’s impossible to truly know what they’ll provide. There’s very little merit aid available, and it’s hard to know if the UCs will meet my EFC. I did check out the website, and there looks like theres a number of interesting labs doing research I would love to be a part of. I’ve heard emory a few times, I know some about their program but not a lot about the campus itself (I tend to prefer a campus feel with a college-focused surrounding area), so anyone who could provide information on that would be greatly appreciated</p>

<p>Creekland mentioned the three I would have suggested…Rochester, Emory and Pitt. Pitt might actually be a good shot for merit money, especially if you express strong interest. You also might be a good candidate for Case in Cleveland–also a good candidate for merit money there. Your geographic diversity for Case and Pitt might help a bit.</p>

<p>Case does offer good merit aid, but again, check their website to see who’s researching what since research is an interest. My guy cut them from his application list after he did that coupled with them being another urban school. He’s not YOU, so check for yourself to see what your interests are. Kids who go to Case from our area like the school - most head there for BME. Some go for pre-med in general (meaning I’m not sure which major they chose).</p>

<p>I am a neuro major at Stonehill College and absolutely love it. Great research opportunities for undergraduates. Smaller program so you really get to know your professors.</p>