How to find "midrange" or "safety" graduate schools (Neuroscience)

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm looking to apply to Neuroscience PhD programs this fall. My particular fields of interest are in 1) theoretical/computational neuroscience and 2) neurodegenerative diseases (specifically Parkinson's Disease). My stats are as follows:</p>

<p>-- Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Major with a Linguistics minor (3.906 GPA), Emory University</p>

<p>-- Relevant courses include: One Year each General Chemistry with Lab, Organic Chemistry with lab, Biology with Lab, Calculus, Physics, Psychology, and Linguistics. One Semester Biochemistry, Introduction to Neurobiology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Foundations of Behavior, Computational Neuroscience (Graduate Course) Medical Neuropathology, Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Brain and Behavior, Topics in Neuroscience and Behavior, Research Methods in Neuroscience</p>

<p>-- Student Researcher at Yerkes National Primate Research Center studying Parkinson's Disease in a primate model, since September 2010. Set to do honors thesis on Electrophysiological Alteration via Glutamate Hypersensitivity in Non-Human Primate Models of Parkinson's Disease</p>

<p>-- Will be presenting poster on electrophysiology project in about a month (summer work), set to present behavioral pharmacology data at the Society for Neuroscience this fall</p>

<p>-- Phi Beta Kappa, Nu Rho Psi (neuroscience honor society), Dean's List, etc.</p>

<p>So far, no GRE scores (taking them this Saturday). Thinking about taking the Bio subject test, though I'm not sure yet. I'd say my biggest weaknesses will be A) no publications and B) only a year and a half of lab experience by the time I apply (even though it includes this summer).</p>

<p>My research experience is clearly mostly based in neurodegenerative disease, but I'd like to expand to computational neuroscience in my graduate studies. I'm afraid that I don't have the math background though; I'm coasting on a year's worth of Calculus via AP scores, and I'm taking physics starting this fall (senior year). However my background is strong in terms of overall breadth of relevant coursework....</p>

<p>I'm looking at the following as my "long shots" (the list will probably shorten eventually...):</p>

<ol>
<li> Massachusetts Institute of Technology</li>
<li> Stanford University</li>
<li> University of California—Los Angeles</li>
<li> University of California – San Francisco</li>
<li> Princeton University</li>
<li> California Institute of Technology</li>
<li> Columbia University</li>
<li> Johns Hopkins University</li>
<li> Northwestern University</li>
</ol>

<p>... but like I said, I don't know if I have the quantitative background for MIT or Caltech. Regardless, these are clearly my long shots.</p>

<p>My biggest problem is that I don't have a clue where to apply for "midrange" or "safety" schools. My lab director and my major adviser both listed off schools which are clearly the best of the best, but they don't really know much about the "good enough with a good shot" list.</p>

<p>Any suggestions? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Hi Othito,</p>

<p>I’m interested in Neuroengineering (Neural Systems Engineering) which has a bit of overlap with your field (particularly Computational Neuroscience). I would strongly recommend (if your schedule allows you to) to take a formal course in both 1) Linear Algebra and 2) Differential Equations. These two math courses will give you most of the appropriate background you probably need for Computational Neuroscience. Of course, familiarity with programming languages, such as Matlab, will also be appealing (perhaps necessary) to the top programs! But if you have time, the courses listed above and if possible some programming should be nice background into the computational field. </p>

<p>Best of luck,
-DV</p>

3

<p>And if I can’t fit them into my schedule? Right now it’s a choice between one of those guys and Biochem, but that won’t even be until the Spring (I’m a rising senior). Am I better off waiting until I take those classes (i.e. take another semester or two) before I apply, or is it possible (or reasonable) to take those courses once I get to grad school?</p>

4

<p>hey othito, im in same boat as you, </p>

<p>i got 1510 gre, 3.86 gpa and 3 summers research but with NO publications.</p>

<p>im also unsure what some mid range schools are so im bumping this post. </p>

<p>how did u do on GRE? did you take the new one?</p>

5

<p>For PhD admissions, you don’t really apply to “safety” schools. It’s not like undergrad, where your college almost doesn’t matter and you just need to get it done; your advisor and your program are going to be central in your job prospects once you finish the degree. So you either go big or go home here.</p>

<p>Not that it’s not a good idea to apply to some midrange schools that are a good fit for you, but the key word is “fit.” Look for some schools that may not be in the top 20 but still have professors doing research in either computational neuroscience or neurodegenerative disorders (or both). You may find it easier to get into a computational program if you go down despite your weak math background, whereas a top 20 program may accept you for the neurodegenerative disorders concentration but not for computational.</p>

<p>The thing is, if you asked two professors who know you well and they suggested top schools, it’s because they think you have a good shot at those places. Most professors are not going to tell you to aim for MIT if you don’t have a shot in in the dark.</p>