California Admission: Go for my 'passion' with a Neuro PhD or stick to my biochem/mol bio strengths?

Graduate School
1

<p>I am going to pursue a PhD in Biology. My favorite areas of research are either Neuroscience or Stem Cell research. However, I am more "specialized" in biochemistry and molecular biology when my research and courses are taken into account. </p>

<p>My questions:
I feel fairly confident that I can get into a good program for biochemistry/ mol bio with my stats and I have no problems going down that path. I feel much less confident about my admission chances for more 'competitive' programs in Neuro and/or Stem Cell research, but I feel a greater "passion" for research in those areas.</p>

<p>1) Should I apply to my strengths and just "get in" a better program and then try to focus on neuro/stem cell labs in that department if possible, or should i apply to specific Neuro or Stem cell programs because that is my desired direction ultimately, even though they are more difficult to be admitted to?? </p>

<p>2) What are my chances? Do my opinions here seem appropriate?
a. Dream School is Stanford... not likely, but possible.
b. I think I could pull off getting into UC Berkeley or UCLA with a high GRE score.
c. Better chances and very happy to enroll in programs at UC Irvine or UC Santa Cruz.
Note, I'm speaking very generally. I recognize that different departments at these schools are ranked accordingly. </p>

<p>My Stats:
Biochemistry and Cell Biology BS from UCSD with a 3.64 GPA ... 3.7 in the Major
Master of Science in Biology from UCSD with a 3.77 Grad GPA.
Two Years of research with a dissertation, but no publications.<br>
Additionally my Junior College GPA was 3.8
GRE Biology - 92 %ile overall, with 98 %ile in Cell and Molecular Bio and 92 %ile in Organismal sections.
GRE General - Scheduled for next month, expect at least 80%ile (Quant), feel comfortable I can score above 90%ile.</p>

2

<p>Many of these schools have umbrella programs that allow you to apply to many specialties at once, and then choose any lab at the school once you’re enrolled. I would advise that route, as those programs are generally a bit larger and less competitive than the independent neuroscience programs at the same school, but then it doesn’t matter once you’re there.</p>

3

<p>You should study what you are more passionate about. Graduate school is already hard enough without having mixed to neutral feelings about your research area; sometimes, the passion for your research is the only thing getting you through. Don’t study something just because you think you can get in and you have “no problems” with it; pursue a research career because you have a driving passion to solve problems in that field.</p>

<p>1) You should apply to programs where you can study what you want to study. If you have an interest in combining biochemistry with stem cell and/or neuroscience research, that could potentially be a biochem PhD program with a focus on applications to stem cell research, or a biology program with a strong biochemistry of neuroscience concentration, et cetera. Of course, the decision is going to be largely based upon what labs are there and who you could work with.</p>

<p>2) We can’t predict your chances. You should apply to places that are a good research fit for you and where you really want to go. You have high stats, so you could be competitive to top programs like Stanford. It all depends on fit.</p>

<p>Also, I think you mean a thesis, not a dissertation.</p>