"Middle of the Road" Neuroscience PhD programs?

kingem2093
Tue, 09 Sep 2014 02:48:44 +0000

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:

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)

Other background information is that my research interests involve neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, and stroke.

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?

Another school that I will definitely be applying to would be Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

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.