I recently applied to neuroscience graduate programs and was not accepted. I am currently attempting to strengthen my application, and recieved some advice from my undergrad mentor. He explained that, based on my application, the likely reason I was not accepted was that I had applied to programs that were too small (they accept too few students per year). He advised that I should apply to the larger biomedical sciences programs which often serve as umbrella programs to neuroscience programs and often feed into the same labs. I am wondering if this advice is enough given my application’s problems.
Here are some of the broad details of my application:
3.3 undergrad GPA (I did well in my core science courses for the most part outside of a couple courses a C+ in a genetics course, and a B- in an evolution course).
3.3 Master’s GPA Neuroscience
This one was mostly outside of my control. During my first semester in graduate school I became very ill and it took until near the end of master’s program to diagnose and treat the condition. I am better now, and I didn’t do poorly in any of the difficult core classes, but certain courses that are heavy on attendance I didn’t do very well in because of doctor’s appointments, and general illness. I was really hoping to redeem my undergrad GPA here so I am incredibly frustrated at the way things happened.
GRE Scores: Excellent; High 90’s percentile in each section.
Research Experience: I have 1 first authored paper, 1 second author paper, and 2 other papers I am an author on that I think will be published before I reapply.
Letters of Reccomendation: I’d say all 3 of my letters of reccomendation are very good. The PI I worked with in undergrad who still gives me advice, my master’s PI, and a Post-doc I’ve worked with on several projects.
I know no one can tell me if I will get accepted, and I’m not looking for that. I’m wondering if applying to biomedical science programs is worth my time.