<p>I'll start out by saying that I know I will not be able to get into the top tier neuroscience programs, so I am looking into middle tier schools. I don't really know where to start though. I guess I can provide some of my stats to give you an idea of where I am coming from: </p>
<p>B.S. Psychology & B.A. Biology (chem minor) from a very good public school
GRE: 161 V, 162 Q, 4.0 AW
2.5 years of research experience, with an original project + poster presentation
Will have 3 good letters of rec
Undergrad GPA: 3.4-3.5 (expected by spring graduation)</p>
<p>Other background information is that my research interests involve neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Huntington's, and stroke. </p>
<p>My top choice right now would be Emory, even though it is probably a stretch, and it is possible that I will be working there for a year doing research between undergrad and graduate school. Do you think doing research at Emory would increase my chances of getting in the PhD program? </p>
<p>Another school that I will definitely be applying to would be Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). </p>
<p>Other than that, I am not sure of where else to apply. Some schools that I have in mind are Wake Forest and Georgia State. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t sell yourself short. You have a decent GPA/GRE, and those aren’t the biggest factors in determining admissions. The 2.5 years of research experience and the letters of recommendation are going to be the important points. It’s hard to “chance” for grad school, though. It’s not numbers-based like undergrad. A lot of it is about research fit - how well the universities you’re looking at fit with the research you want to do. Have you talked to professors you’re currently working with for suggestions (particularly if it’s in the field you want to go into)? Also a good place to look: the institutional affiliations of authors on papers most related to what you want to do. Follow the citation trail!</p>
<p>Why do you think that you cannot get into a top neuroscience program? If it’s because of your GPA, first of all a 3.4-3.5 isn’t that low and second of all your GPA is only one piece of the puzzle. Your fit with the department and your promise as a researcher are more important.</p>
<p>Yes, doing research at Emory would increase your chances - both at Emory (since you have the opportunity to foster personal connections with the faculty there) and at other schools (since an extra year of research experience can only help you).</p>
<p>Neurodegenerative diseases is a really big area. It’s hard to suggest schools just from that, even if I were in the same field. Have you tried looking at the papers you’re citing in your projects and posters and trying to find where those faculty members are teaching? I think there’s some work on that going on at Columbia, although of course you’d have to look and see if they are doing stuff that’s similar to what you want.</p>