<p>I just finished my freshmen year with four F's, two NPs, three c's, one b plus. I was a biochemistical engineering major, but I kept believing that I wouldn't make it in engineering. With depression, self esteem issues, and an aloof roommate, I found it hard to stay focused. I was also lazy because I developed very bad habits during senior year of high school.</p>
<p>Now I am dismissed from uc Davis, and must complete lower division science courses at a community college to return. During my second Quarter of my freshmen year, I discovered that I am really interested in neuroscience. I've already switched my major at uc Davis to biochemistry. If I get exceptional grades from now on, which means almost all or all A's, including in the classes that I failed, would I still have a shot at graduate school for neuroscience? if so, which schools are my reach schools, and which would I have a good chance of getting in? </p>
<p>If not, which majors should I consider that, given my stats, would still help me find employment?</p>
<p>I think you shouldn’t lose hope and yes, I think, if from now on you get mostly all As including re-taking and getting As in the classes you failed, get solid research experience under your belt, which means possibly a publication or so and summer REUs, solid GRE scores and good letters of recommendations, you can still get into the top Neuroscience PhD programs. </p>
<p>If you do all of the above, then I’m sure you can make a good case to PhD programs and you should still be able to get into one or more of them!</p>
<p>Does UC Davis have a Neuroscience undergrad program? If so, you should probably switch to that. Or switch to the closest thing to that if possible! </p>
<p>Best wishes,
-DV</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your help and advice. No, uc Davis doesn’t have an undergrad program for neuroscience. Biochemistry is the most popular, but I’m not sure what would be the closest to neuroscience.</p>
<p>No problem! I think Biochemistry should do just fine. You can look at Neuroscience PhD programs that you are particularly interested in and see what type of classes they expect incoming students to have taken. </p>
<p>If your school offers any electives that are neuroscience-related, those would be good to take. </p>
<p>Finally, once you start working in a lab on campus, you can ask your PI for classes that he/she thinks are good for his/her lab and for grad school. </p>
<p>Best wishes,
-DV</p>