Bio BS(phys&neuroscience) going into experimental psychology graduates program Pt. II

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
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<p>So I have nothing better to do today, I'm going to spend it looking into the future so I don't get screwed when I get there. Now I'm sure no one remembers, but I had a topic here before that ended in me deciding to get a BS in biology and then going into behavior neuroscience(experimental psychology) for a PhD because I love it. </p>

<p>So I did some more looking around in the UCSD psychology website, and it turns out they have quite a few requirements for the psychology program, and apparently the behavioral neuroscience program is ranked number 2 in the whole country, wow. From this I assume that it's extremely hard to get into, so I'm here for more tips and what not from anyone who has gotten into it. </p>

<p>Here are the relevant eligibility requirements:</p>

<p>Psychology majors and minors (or closely related fields)
Exception with good background in mathematics and science
Research experience
Statistics background
GPA over 3.0 (cumulative from most recent degree)
GRE minimum of 50% in Quantitative and Verbal </p>

<p>So I'm assuming that the second one means that if I don't have a psychology major, I should have a good background in a science or math major instead, so I got that covered with neuroscience biology BS. </p>

<p>Moving on from that, research experience:will do. </p>

<p>Statistics background, what's this about? Should I take a few statistics classes if I want to go from Bio to behavioral neuroscience then? If so, anyone got any ideas on what I should take? </p>

<p>GPA: easy</p>

<p>GRE minimum of 50% in Quantitative and Verbal: Hmm, so this means I have to take the psychology GRE to get into this graduates program right? Are these tests easy to study for when I don't have too much knowledge of the subject? I mean I've taken 3 psychology classes mostly for fun in Junior College, but that probably doesn't count for much. </p>

<p>There are some scary stats on their FAQs page,
For Fall 2008 entry, we had 316 applicants, 27 were admitted and 9 accepted. </p>

<p>Now this is REALLY scary. First of all what's the difference between admitted and accepted? Second of all, that's almost as low as 10%, it's seriously intimidating. </p>

<p>Anyone done this kind of cross displinary thing into the UCSD psychology program before? Any tips?</p>

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<p>Behavioral Neuroscience is a closely-related field, so no need to change that. Minor in Math if you get a chance.&lt;/p>

<p>Research, aim for 3 years if you can and stick to a prof for as long as possible until your research is stale or you get bored,</p>

<p>Stats: Psyc 60 + Math180AB</p>

<p>GRE: Talked to John Wixted, he said average accepted GRE is 1360 combined</p>

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<p>Hmmm, I'm still in junior college, so I'm not too familiar with the details. I don't even know how minoring works! :( How many quarter units do you think I'd need for a minor in math? I do happen to like math to a certain degree, so if it isn't too troublesome I'm totally cool with it. </p>

<p>I think I'll only have 2 years of time at UCSD since I'm transfering, hopefully that's enough. </p>

<p>Is the GRE out of 1600? Is it kind of like the SAT where you can just study for it without having been taught much on the subject? </p>

<p>Are you personally in the program? I remember you helped me out a lot last time :D.</p>

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<p>Ahh looking into the cross displine stuff and minoring just gave me some new ideas. I have this personal interest in philosophy, but it looks like the behavioral neuroscience department doesn't play very nicely with the philosophy department? But the philosophy department plays very nicely with the Cogsci department, and I'm assuming cogsci works quite well with behavioral neuroscience since theres actually an interdisplinary PhD program for psychology and cogsci. </p>

<p>So many options to choose from. Should I minor in philosophy? Should I double major something? Is philosophy practical at all for behavioral neuroscience research? Should I get into Cogsci? What kind of crazy cross displinary research could I accomplish?</p>

<p>I think I might just either double major biology and philosophy and then get into behavioral neuroscience and later on the interdisplinery program with psychology and cogsci, or I'll replace the major in philosophy with a minor. </p>

<p>Anyone care to comment on this plan? Is it too ambitious? It seems to me that all four fields are heavily related.</p>

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<p>Psychology</a> Forums - Student Doctor Network Forums</p>

<p>^^ I'd recommend you going there as it's filled with mostly doctoral students and professors already</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm not in a graduate program, but I'm currently researching plenty of outlets right now. I'm thinking of going into Industrial/Organizational Psychology degree (hopefully a PhD, but they're the second most competitive subfield under Clinical for Psych) an MPH in Behavioral Sciences. I did, at one time, want to be involved in heavy empirical research, so UCSD was naturally the first place I began to investigate for information regarding programs and admissions. The department is #11 overall in the nation, so we're already a very impacted and selective school. The website states that majors of all kinds are welcome to apply, and they mean it--the caveat is that they expect you to already have a good foundation in Psychology principles, so at least get a minor in it (only 7 classes here for the minor). Whether you choose Bio, Cog Sci, Neuro, or Psych, just make sure you're enjoying it because there's no point in going to Grad School where your lackadaisical motivation is going to be quickly noticed by your mentor/PI.</p>

<p>And you seem to be in the right track...just don't lose that motivation and also don't look too far ahead; a lot of people seem to have big hopes and dreams while not taking care of current responsibilities.</p>