<p>Pitt is currently my top choice school and I am admitted to the school/honors college and the neuroscience program. I tried doing searches, but finding the specific information I am looking for isn't that easy. </p>
<p>How difficult is the major? like how hard would it be to hold a high 3.0 or a 4.0(obviously this is going to vary from person to person, but assuming I am pretty intelligent and motivated). </p>
<p>What are the research opportunities like? specifically, does anyone have information on the CNBC (center for neural basis of cognition) and how one would get involved with this?</p>
<p>What are the people like in this major? Are they all competitive pre-med types or what? Willing to help, study together?(I guess this is going to vary a lot too because it is a popular major)</p>
<p>This is a little off topic, but what is the deal with the honors college. I mean they offer more in-depth honors classes, but would it be wise to sacrifice a better grade in the normal version of a class for a lower grade in an honors class...specifically with regard to medical school admissions?</p>
<p>Any answer to these questions would be great.</p>
<p>As far as getting involved in research being done there, one would only need to contact the faculty involved (listed on the websites). Look for faculty you might be interested in working with, and just send them an email introducing yourself and your interest in their work, and any possibility to learn more or get involved in their lab. So, you can be super proactive with this, and even do it before you get there. However, there will be mechanisms set up within the Honors College and Department of Neuroscience to help guide you into labs as well. It depends how quickly and how much you want to get involved in undergrad research. </p>
<p>What people are like? I think you’ll find a range. Pre-med types, and also many that are interested in it for the research/science aspect. It is a popular major. I will tell you, for at least one previous version of the intro neuroscience class, they essentially forced you to work and study together. In fact, the professor (Wood) flat came out and said the first day that you need to find study groups, and he was right. In general, I don’t think you find the typical Pitt student to be cut throat.</p>
<p>Honors college classes are more in depth, so it depends on how you weigh the interest of their topics for you vs risking your GPA. If in doubt, wait until you’ve gotten some experience with the rigors of college there so you have a better feel for the classes and class loads that you can better handle. They don’t force you to take honors college classes, though you need to have some in order to get the BPhil. So, I actually wouldn’t worry about that at this point.</p>
<p>PetahR - what other schools are you applying to? Are you solely focused on neuroscience, pre-med, or considering a dual major? My son is in your position (admitted to Honors and in NS) but is waiting on RD from a couple of other schools and what money Pitt will offer.</p>
<p>I am not to sure about a dual major. I can experiment with that when I get there, I suppose.
I applied ED to Johns Hopkins and was rejected. I was accepted to Pitt and Penn State, but I feel like Pitt would better suite me. </p>
<p>Thanks for the answers, it was really helpful :).</p>
<p>My daughter is a psych major but has taken several neuroscience courses. They are difficult, but she has done well in them and has enjoyed them. In her latest class, almost all the kids are neuro majors, with about four psych majors thrown in the mix.</p>
<p>I recommend you private message a CC member named momwaitingfornew. She is very knowledgeable about Pitt and neuroscience, and she is very gracious about sharing her expertise. Best of luck!</p>