Rice vs USC vs UT Austin for Neuroscience

<p>I really want to be involved in cognitive neuroscience research and I plan on going to graduate school.
At this point I just want to hear more about the neuroscience/cogsci opportunities at these 3 schools, especially any imaging research (fMRI, PET, EEG etc.) and how easy it would be to get into a lab/research with a prof.</p>

<p>Money isn't a huge factor, but USC did give me 24k/year. UT Austin is still obviously the cheapest option.
In addition to neuroimaging interests, I also hope to spearhead some music + brain research...but I haven't been able to find much info on preexisting programs at these 3 schools. </p>

<p>I be quite honest, I'm getting the impression that most impressive research is done at the graduate level, and the undergrad years are mainly for building a foundation and helping professors do their own research.</p>

<p>Thanks for any input!</p>

<p>Also, USC has the Brain and Creativity Institute which appeals to me since I like music and neuroscience. But I don;t know how much undergraduates can get involved</p>

<p>I have no idea about these three schools’ programs, but DD is a neuroscience major there are three choices for a UG graduate in neuroscience: 1. Graduate School, 2. Med School, 3. work in an industry other than neuroscience.</p>

<p>Even with her 3 years in research lab, with an BS degree she is not going to get a job in neuroscience.</p>

<p>I plan on going to graduate school!</p>

<p>Undergraduates at USC can get involved in as much research as they can handle.
You will need to prove you understand scientific concepts, and express real interest early and often to professors in the various depts.
But it is true that most pure research is done at the graduate level.
That should not stop you from starting to learn how to do research, and USC is the perfect place to do so. </p>

<p>Have you been offered the chance to enroll in their Honors Science classes? If not, beat down the doors to get in! They offer much smaller introductory class sizes taught at an accelerated pace by the best profs at USC.
And by doing well in those classes you will have the "creds’ to go to many professors and ask for the opportunity to learn to do research with them. Good luck! </p>