- Joined
- Mar 31, 2008
- Messages
- 46
- Reaction score
- 4
Your Psych GPA should be fine, though you might want to briefly explain the lower overall GPA in personal statements.
GRE: I'm going to bust my butt to get over a 1350 on the GRE. So assume a 1350.
---Don't assume anything about your GRE score until you have seen it after the test. After you know your score, you can check the averages for schools you would like to apply to. In some instances there is a cut-off (usually around 1200).
Extra Curriculars: I've been recognized at the District level for my amount of community service (over 300+ hours last academic year) and the work I've put in as well.
---Think of it as icing on the cake, it can go near the end of your CV with a fancy heading like "Community Outreach." It is nice to have on there, but I had similar experiences in undergrad, and they never came up a single interview.
Research Experience: Since I'm relatively new, I've only just begun my research assistant position. This position is for the whole summer (10 hours per week) in a visual, memory, computational neuro lab. And then in the fall I will be in another lab for the next 2 years.
---This is the most important part of your application. Focus the bulk of your effort on the lab and on posters and publications. Cultivate a strong working relationship with the faculty that lead the lab.
Job Experience: I've been a Teaching Assistant for 1 year now and I'm looking to continue that until I graduate.
---This is good experience and should help you some. Most programs aren't that focused on teaching (more on research and/or clinical experience), so it won't make or break your app.
And a part time job at McDonalds (# of hours of work depends on how busy the campus is)
---Doesn't matter for applications, shouldn't go on a CV.
[/QUOTE]
Use your background in bio engineering to your advantage! That could definitely be an asset. Overall, it looks like you are headed in the direction of being a competitive applicant, and just need to focus on experiences that will help build your strengths even more.
GRE: I'm going to bust my butt to get over a 1350 on the GRE. So assume a 1350.
---Don't assume anything about your GRE score until you have seen it after the test. After you know your score, you can check the averages for schools you would like to apply to. In some instances there is a cut-off (usually around 1200).
Extra Curriculars: I've been recognized at the District level for my amount of community service (over 300+ hours last academic year) and the work I've put in as well.
---Think of it as icing on the cake, it can go near the end of your CV with a fancy heading like "Community Outreach." It is nice to have on there, but I had similar experiences in undergrad, and they never came up a single interview.
Research Experience: Since I'm relatively new, I've only just begun my research assistant position. This position is for the whole summer (10 hours per week) in a visual, memory, computational neuro lab. And then in the fall I will be in another lab for the next 2 years.
---This is the most important part of your application. Focus the bulk of your effort on the lab and on posters and publications. Cultivate a strong working relationship with the faculty that lead the lab.
Job Experience: I've been a Teaching Assistant for 1 year now and I'm looking to continue that until I graduate.
---This is good experience and should help you some. Most programs aren't that focused on teaching (more on research and/or clinical experience), so it won't make or break your app.
And a part time job at McDonalds (# of hours of work depends on how busy the campus is)
---Doesn't matter for applications, shouldn't go on a CV.
[/QUOTE]
Use your background in bio engineering to your advantage! That could definitely be an asset. Overall, it looks like you are headed in the direction of being a competitive applicant, and just need to focus on experiences that will help build your strengths even more.