JD/PhD in Neuroscience at Vanderbilt

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I was interested in getting some feedback on my chances for getting into this dual degree program.</p>

<p>I’m currently in my third year of five majoring in a BSc (honours) health sciences and BA (honours) criminal justice with a minor in psychology. There are some pending conditions on the honours stream for criminal justice (maintain high GPA, approved supervisor, success in the practicum), but ideally these are the degrees I’ll graduate with.</p>

<p>I have taken 32 courses so far, alternating between five or six classes per semester. </p>

<p>Year One:
General Chemistry 1 & 2
Intro. Cell Biology
Intro. Ecology
Calculus based Physics 1 & 2
Calculus 1 & 2
Intro. Psychology 1 & 2
Medical Terminology
Overall (unweighted) GPA: 4.0</p>

<p>Year Two:
Organic Chemistry 1 & 2
General Biochemistry
Genetics
Cell/Molecular Biology
Human Anatomy
Abnormal Psychology
Neuropsychology
Intro. Justice Studies
Personality Psychology
Audit - Psychopharmacology
Overall (unweighted) GPA: 3.9</p>

<p>Year Three:
Molecular Human Physiology 1 & 2
Histology
Biochemical Pharmacology
Statistics
Microbiology 1 & 2
Social Psychology
Life-Span Development Psychology
Philosophy of Law
Embryology
Audit - International Relations
Overall (unweighted) GPA: Still pending.</p>

<p>When I apply to graduate school I will only have four years completed, so here is the theoretical fourth year courses:</p>

<p>Applied Human Physiology
Neuroscience
Adolescent Psychology
Advanced Adolescent Psychology
Research Methods 1 & 2
Young offenders and the Law
Honours Thesis 1 & 2
BioEthics
Audit - Forensic Psychology</p>

<p>I received 175 on the LSAT but still have to take the GRE</p>

<p>Extra Cirriculars:
I have done two undergraduate research projects with faculty. One on seratonin metabolites in CSF and the other on CIPA and empathy. I am a competitive slolom snowboarder and a certified sky diver. I volunteer weekly with patients recovering from CNS damage, mainly stroke. I have been in this volunteer position for three years. </p>

<p>Work Experience:
I’m currently a private in the air force with intention of becoming a pilot officer and would likely become part of JAG if I was a lawyer. My interest is in international criminal law.</p>

<p>What areas do I need to improve on? And am I potentially a competitive applicant?</p>

<p>My back ups are Dartmouth, Harvard, and the air force legal officer program.</p>

<p>Any advise would really be appreciated :)</p>