MD looking to get a phd in neurosciences

[Sanad]

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I just graduated from medschool. Im an IMG. I want to pursue a career in research so i want to get into a good neuroscience phd program. Trouble is, every program i lok at asks for a background in biology, chemistry, physics and math. I did those things in high school. 4 years of all these subjects. After that, there has been a 5 year gap for medschool. With minimal research experience and no mastery over bio, chem and physics/math, can i get into a good program if i take these classes in my first year?

 

[BNSN]

As an MD, I imagine the formal requirements are quite relaxed for you.

If I had to guess, you could get into top PhD programs rather easily.

 

[Sanad]

The only program i can apply for is Fall 2010. Got a positive response from Northwestern Institute of Neurosciences. Anyone know how it is? The UCSF program doesnt take a lot of IMGs. I might apply to NW but any other, better options out there?

 

[someram3000]

UCLA no doubt. they're all about neuroscience.

 

[StIGMA]

I've always been told that Columbia is the #1 place for neuroscience. UAB and Emory have decent (although not top) programs. Where you go does not matter so much as the person you work with during your dissertation. You may want to look for and contact specific mentors. Regarding pre-requisites, e-mail the graduate directors about your particular situation - see if they encourage you to apply or not. I highly doubt that they will let you take the pre-requisites during your first year of graduate school - you will likely either need to satisfy these requirements before graduate school or go to a program that does not care.

 

[itsallthesame]

Just like we'd say to someone looking to apply to medical school that they need to take the mcat before it can be known where they might get in...

you need to take the gre in order to get a realistic picture of where you are likely to get in. that combined with your med gpa (i assume it was a bachelors?) and the quantity of research experience you have plus the prestige of your school... then you can start thinking about particular places.

also: you should look to see what schools have a history of taking people from your country. if your country rarely sends people to a certain institution, they simply may not know how to judge your application. on the other hand, if you are from a country who regularly sends people over or have ties to an internationally know institution (eg max plank) you should be fine anywhere.

 

[Sanad]

I have a question. I have at least 8 months till i apply for the phd. I can get into another research position here in Pakistan. Will a great LOR from my professors here be just as good as an american LOR for 3 months in an american lab? Or is the american lab better?

 

[itsallthesame]

american lab < pakistan lab << no lab

for phd programs (especially with the current economic situtation) there are more applicants than spots, just like medical school. additionally, they are investing a good amount of money in you for stipend. as an international, the first strike against you is that you aren't eligable for many of the federal gvt fellowships that americans are, which means that the school you go to will be footing the entire bill.

all this means, is that schools are going to need a realistic way to fairly judge how good of a candidate you are. schools that get a lot of people from a certain country may have relationships with that country and know how to identify top students. (University of X sends a student to USA School every few years. The professors at U of X know that if they recommend someone who isn't good, people from their school won't get into USA School in the future.) This may or may not be the case with your school... but if it isn't, you may face a difficult time in admissions.

now, if you do very, very well on the gre... that would help. Keep in mind that even many american students take one to two years off after undergrad to either work as a lab tech or in industry before starting their phds, so you won't really be behind.

 

[Sanad]

I am in a bit of a pickle here. If I spend a year on research and get excellent LORs, submit my applications for the fall 2010 phd program, and i miss out, i will have used up a year without doing an internship which will reflect badly if i apply for a residency instead of a phd. Northwestern neuroscience program director gave me a positive response sayin they take IMGs (pakistanis and indians) in their phd programs and that my undergrad schedule must have prepared me for their required course but i need research experience. I already have a year of research experience in physiology, a published clinical research in physiology(although not in a pubmed journal) and a research in neurology on the way to be published in a pubmed journal. Other than that, im spending this year working in a research lab in my university's pathology department. My question is this: After doing all of the above, from an american perspective, where do i stand? What more can I do to make my CV better? I have a lot of extra-curricular achievements as well if that makes any difference. Id appreciate your advice to help me bolster my CV. This is the one shot that i have to get into this program. If i dont, my current situation may not allow me to pursue 4 years of phd as every one of those 4 years counts! Thanks.

 

[Sanad]

Update: Got a resaerch position for a year at univ of chicago in pathology. Think im gonna take that and work for a yr and see if that improves my chances.