I’m working on my Neuroscience undergrad degree. Now that it’s summer I’ll be spending a lot of time studying for the GRE, researching schools, and doing some volunteer work. I don’t have any publications. I currently have 1 year of research experience. I haven’t spoken to any grad students in my lab about their qualifications when they were accepted to the school I’m at currently. I want to get into a better school though (“tier 2” if possible). I attend a decent D1 university. They offer a a BS, MS, and Doctorate in Neuroscience. I don’t want to speak to the grad students about their qualifications because I believe it might be a bit intrusive.
I haven’t made up my mind about what I would like to research. I believe that I have sort of a natural insight into psychology, so I believe this could be my strength, but cell work interests me too because I have a lot to learn about it.
Honestly, I feel a little naive about the application process. It seems apparent that many of the schools don’t want to disclose too much information. Of the four schools I’ve looked into briefly (including my own) Ohio State is the only one that disclosed the average GPA of applicants.
I don’t even know if colleges will want my transcripts from my previous BA. I was an awful student then (sub 2.5 GPA). Right now I have a ~3.3 GPA, but my toughest semester is behind me and that GPA only factors in three semesters because all my gen eds were already completed during my first degree at another school. I have an easier (possibly easiest semester) coming up that’ll only be 11 credits. I believe I should get a 4.0 sort of automatically for 4 of those credits. I doubt that my cumulative GPA will be below 3.35 after the semester.
Do schools consider the fact that, because I’m doing neuroscience as a second degree that I had to take more difficult classes and didn’t have the luxury of taking gen eds to dilute the difficulty? I would assume not. I should also say that I’m also double majoring in Psychology. Perhaps it would be best to have posted this after I take the GRE. I just feel like there is not much disclosure about grad prospects to encourage people. Perhaps it will discourage people. Maybe ignorance is best in this matter? I don’t know. Help me out. Thanks in advance.