What I did wrong when applying to grad school

[LHDMMD]

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So this is a list of all the things I did wrong when I applied to Ph.D. programs the first time around.

1. Most of the programs I applied to were Neuroscience programs.
2. I did not have a POI thus I did not mention a POI in SOP.
3. I did not contact any POIs or grad students to research the program.
4. I applied to schools based on geographic location mostly.
5. My masters was in experimental and I had NO neuroscience research experience.
6. I had NO research experience outside of school.
7. I had NO relevant work experience.
8. I had NO volunteer experience.
9. My research interests did not match AT ALL to what schools I applied to.
10. I had a GRE of around 1000
11. One of my school's application required the subject GRE. I did not take that test and by the time I realized it was required it was too late.

So yeah, basically I was a big idiot when applying to grad school the first time around. I look back now and I think I only applied because it was expected and my adviser told me which programs to apply to. I like neuroscience, but I don't want to be a neuroscientist. Anyone else care to share their mistakes?

 

[wigflip]

So this is a list of all the things I did wrong when I applied to Ph.D. programs the first time around.

1. Most of the programs I applied to were Neuroscience programs.
2. I did not have a POI thus I did not mention a POI in SOP.
3. I did not contact any POIs or grad students to research the program.
4. I applied to schools based on geographic location mostly.
5. My masters was in experimental and I had NO neuroscience research experience.
6. I had NO research experience outside of school.
7. I had NO relevant work experience.
8. I had NO volunteer experience.
9. My research interests did not match AT ALL to what schools I applied to.
10. I had a GRE of around 1000
11. One of my school's application required the subject GRE. I did not take that test and by the time I realized it was required it was too late.

So yeah, basically I was a big idiot when applying to grad school the first time around. I look back now and I think I only applied because it was expected and my adviser told me which programs to apply to. I like neuroscience, but I don't want to be a neuroscientist. Anyone else care to share their mistakes?

I'm curious--are you applying again this year, or have you already gained entrance to another program? What have you done differently? Are you applying to different schools, or same schools with a better profile?

 

[LHDMMD]

Applying again this year. First time I applied was 2009. I took a couple of years off from school to work.
I've done everything differently. I worked. I volunteered. I raised my GRE. I applied to different schools with a better fit. I focused my research interests. And I think I have better LORs this time around.

 

[wigflip]

Applying again this year. First time I applied was 2009. I took a couple of years off from school to work.
I've done everything differently. I worked. I volunteered. I raised my GRE. I applied to different schools with a better fit. I focused my research interests. And I think I have better LORs this time around.

awesome--good luck!

 

[LHDMMD]

Thanks!