<p>What do you mean, what are your options? If you want names of graduate schools, you will have to do like the rest of us and get to searching. Ask your current professors where the top behavioral neuroscience programs are; read journal articles and find out where the top people in your field are teaching and conducting research; search Google; look at the NRC rankings. There are lots of ways to find programs in your field.</p>
<p>Typically strong applicants have:</p>
<ol>
<li>Good grades. You have that.</li>
<li>High GRE scores. Study for them in your junior year and take them at the beginning of your senior year.</li>
<li>Strong letters of recommendation. You have some time, but begin thinking about who could write you strong letters. Continue to develop that research so your research mentor can write you one, or your thesis advisor. With any luck, they will be the same person.</li>
<li>Research experience. Single most important thing. You are already doing that - just continue, and get progressively more responsible tasks to do in the lab.</li>
<li>Strong personal statement. This and the LoRs, I would say, are tied for second in importance (and may switch depending on the program). Make sure that you can articulate the reasons you want a PhD in neuroscience and how that will help you in your career goals, as well as how your past research and education will make you successful in X program. You may want to write some drafts of a general statement over the summer between your junior and senior year, and start tailoring it for schools in the beginning of your senior year.</li>
</ol>
<p>Right now, as a sophomore, the only things you can do are continue to do research and making strong connections with professors, as well as keeping your grades up. Find a summer research experience if you can - most deadlines have passed, but a few may still be open or you may be able to form an informal one at your home school. Junior year, start early in exploring some programs. Start a spreadsheet with interesting programs and mentors. Then over that last summer you can start whittling the list down.</p>
<p>As for transferring - graduate schools are far more interested in WHAT you do in UG than where you go. They understand not everyone can afford a fancy-pants private uni, or that some kids who slacked in high school really found their passion and footing in college, or whatever else. What’s most important is your research, your grades, your letters, your statement, and your scores. (You can try to publish, but that’s not required - although it will make you look much better). I went to a good LAC, but not a prestigious one, and I am an at top 10 in my field Ivy for my PhD.</p>
<p>If you want to transfer because you already wanted to transfer out of your school for whatever reason, go ahead. But if you are happy where you are and are only transferring because you think it will make you look better for grad school, don’t. It won’t matter that much.</p>