Looking to learn from anyone’s experience around a majoring in Neuroscience at Ohio State, Pitt or Binghamton.
Thank you!
Do you have a possible career goal? I know one student who majored in neuroscience at Binghamton and then became a PA.
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What do you want to know? S19 was a double major at Pitt BS Neuroscience, BA Philosophy and Chem minor. Got a 4.0 in both majors. So ask away.
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Ideally moving on to med school - something health career related vs research, at the moment.
Sounds like a great program which led to much success.
Looking to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly at any of these schools. Appreciate you sharing how it was a good experience for your student.
Ok. He aced the MCAT in August after graduating in the spring, scoring in the top 1%. The Neuro major and summer studying prepared him. There are courses such as Stats that are not in the major but he took anyway bc many med schools want it.
If you will not go onto med school then PhD will be required for other Neuro careers. He currently works in a Neuro unit at a hospital for his gap year clinic experience.
I will add, he graduated valedictorian of his HS at 16. He is wicked smart so I didn’t expect it to be a challenge for him but he always puts in the work around 200%. It’s not a cake-walk at all. Pitt is a sink or swim school, he had floor mates who failed out freshmen year. Advisement is terrible so you have to know your stuff when it comes to required classes etc. He loved/loves Pitt but also keep in mind we are from Pittsburgh 
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Before I got to the end I was thinking you were from Boston with the wicked smart.
Thank you again for these details.
Lots of good luck to your son as he continues on his journey to becoming an MD.
All three schools can lead to medical school or any other career in healthcare. I know of successful prehealth students at all 3.
Have you visited these schools?
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You as well!
My S19 always said the only way to make money in Neuro is via med school. So take that for what it’s worth. The lab work doesn’t pay a ton, nor does academia, according to him.
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So far have only been able to visit Binghamton. Now need to work our way west to hit Pitt and OSU.
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We did not visit Ohio State but we visited Binghamton and Pitt multiple times. You can succeed at all 3 so choose based on affordability and fit. Good luck! I actually loved Pitt when we visited.
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I have consistently heard great things about Pitt. Thank you so much for sharing!
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I agree that there are very few careers for which an undergrad neuroscience major is a good fit. Med school is one of them. What is your career Plan B if you don’t end up in med school? Would you consider a different major?
You would receive an excellent education at any of these schools. They all send plenty of people to med school each year. I am curious about why you’re focused on large publics, and these particular large publics. It can be easy to get lost in the shuffle of the other zillion premeds. Sometimes premeds prefer to attend smaller schools where they can really stand out. Just one factor to consider.
These 3 were mentioned because they are the top three acceptances so far. Still waiting on others to release decisions. Trying to focus on my admitted options while waiting to hear from others I’ve applied.
Oh, I didn’t realize you’d already applied. It’s not too late to apply to other schools should you decide to (just FYI).
Pitt neuro major emphasizes bio
Bing neuro major emphasizes psych
Ohio neuro major has different concentration options
What’s plan B?
Idk he’s 17.
I feel it’s become a doctor or a high school science teacher. What else is there? Kid is already an EMT and wants to be a doctor.
Every premed needs a solid plan B that they can do with their major of choice. Because most of them don’t become doctors (for various reasons). PA school is a popular alternate if they want a clinical career.
Careers for a neuroscience bachelor’s are not plentiful or well-compensated. But it’s a trendy major. High school science teacher could be one viable option. A more fundamental major like biology or chemistry would offer more options after graduation. Neuro is very niche. Just some things to think about (I’m a neuro professor). I love large publics, but depending on the student, premed can be particularly difficult at large publics. That’s why I’m asking some of these questions.
Truly appreciate everything you have shared.
He loves the sciences and he just gets them. Hopefully he will land at a school that allows him to find his way should he want to change course. He’s always been curious about the brain, people’s motivations, why they do what they do, how different people learn, things like that.
He thrives in an environment where there is accessibility to the instructor and develops a great relationship with his teachers. This is where the larger publics concern me. A freshman lecture with 500 / 800 + students would not be his first choice. OFC if you sit in the front row you NEVER know how many people are behind you and if you take adv of office hours there is a way to overcome the intimidation of a large lecture course.
his ed school is highly rejective. it’s not large like the 3 mentioned. just trying to get comfortable with the acceptances that have come in because the remaining decisions can go either way when you consider the current landscape of the admissions world, getting yield protected, you just never know what they are looking for when building a class.
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Ahh, I see. That is all good info. Fit really does depend on the student and their goals. This is all somewhat moot if he gets into his ED Feel free to DM me. I am a neuro prof who attended (and thrived) at a large public, and I currently work at a large public. I’ve also worked at a SLAC, and spouse is current chem prof at a SLAC.
Thank you so much for your offer. Truly appreciate it!!!