<p>I'm graduating this spring. Prior to this year, I thought, grad school? blech, more school. I'm majoring in bio and math. Like math, but suck at it, and disliked biology pretty much the whole time but kept taking bio classes expecting to like the next one better... Until this past semseter when I started a neuroscience class that I absolutely love. While doing literature research I realized, this sounds so awesome, i can almost see myself doing this (and have started reading the textbook for fun). So now I'm applying to work in neuro labs next year (though I have no other lab experience so I don't know how that will turn out). Anyways, I'm thinking of applying to grad school not this coming fall but the fall after and looking for advice. Is it normal to mention to current profs, I might be applying to grad school in 2 years could you write me a rec? Are there other things like this I should be thinking about? If I can't get a job in a lab due to lack of experience, what other options do I have to gain research experience? And, is there anything else I can do with my life to strengthen my app. (I'm a little worried about my gpa, 3.4)</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am not from those disciplines…But I would definitely think being a math and bio major would work really well in your favor !! And 3.4 is not a bad GPA.
I would say get employed in a lab…and if you can’t, and have the time/resources, you should volunteer to work in someone’s neuro lab at your school. Help a student with their thesis or dissertation research, help a professor with a trial–find some way.
Take the GRE and do great.
That is awesome that you have found your niche, and it really sounds like you have the background to excel in neuro.</p>
<p>I have shared this link earlier. Try medzilla.com for a neuroscience lab assistant job. And smile about the 3.4, especially since you say you were bad in math and didn’t like your major!</p>
<p>Absolutely, get recs now while professors still remember you. Ask them to put it on file with your campus’ career services office.</p>
<p>Ticklemepink is right, get those recs now but keep in mind, you will have to maintain some contact with these people as they will have to fill out online reviews of your when they submit the recs.</p>
<p>With regards to your question about letting prospective employers know that you will be applying for graduate school after two years- this is expected. In fact, at some universities, mine included, the professional research asst positions are on two year contracts. My current PI has had over 30 pras go on to grad school or med school and not one of them stayed for more than three years. Your new PI will expect that you are motivated and will attend grad school at some point in the near future, it isn’t like industry where you need to hide that.</p>
<p>Finally, your GPA is fine. If you are having difficulty getting a lab tech job, you could consider getting a medical lab tech certification as it would keep you at the bench, provide a fallback option and contribute experience (even if it is not specifally research).</p>