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What the Students Have to Say:
The Admissions Process
The admissions process was much less stressful than I thought it would be.
I quickly found out that the goal was not so much to grill me on my academic
and scientific background but rather to determine if Davis was a good match
for my interests. I had the opportunity to meet with many of the faculty
members to discuss their research. In addition, I was very impressed with
the student involvement in the recruitment process. It was so helpful to
be able to talk openly with the students about the program as well as graduate
schools in general.
-Christine Wu, Graduate Student in the Jagust Lab
Completing the application process online was fast and easy. I e-mailed
several faculty members and students prior to interviewing; they were all
very willing to answer my questions about the program.
-Cyndi Mills-Schumann, Graduate Student in the Amaral Lab
I came to the Neuroscience program through the MD/PhD program, so I know
more about that admissions process than the Neuroscience graduate program's
procedures. However, this year I met several prospective students during
the interview period and had the opportunity to see the process first hand,
from the perspective of a current student. Students have several interviews
with faculty members and current students, and then spend two evenings with
the students away from the curious eyes of the faculty so they can learn
what the program is really like. You may be able to find out which members
of the faculty will interview you, or request an interview with a specific
faculty member (or member belonging to a particular discipline), before
you visit UCD. I would strongly urge you to prepare for the interviews by
finding out as much as you can about your interviewers, and the main areas
of research here, before you visit. You will find that both you and your
interviewer will have more to talk about during the interview, and you will
be able to use the interview to gather information about the program and
evaluate it's strengths.
-Noah Merin, MD/PhD Student in the Amaral Lab
The admission process is a great way to meet the people that you'd like
to work with and find out if you actually see yourself working with them
for a few years. Even if you can you should be able to have at least two
other potential faculty that you could work with if your main interest doesn't
work out, for whatever reason.
-Chris Petkov, Graduate Student in the Sutter Lab
Admissions can be a long and hectic process, involving several weekend and
mid-week trips across the country to various interview sites. It can seem
like too much time and effort, especially if you are still in school, badly
needing time to study for midterms or to write your undergrad thesis. However,
all the trouble will be completely justified when your fourth-choice school
on paper becomes your first-choice school in person. Interviewing at schools
is not only a chance for the school to check you out, it's also an opportunity
for you to check the school out and to determine where you feel you will
fit best. Meeting faculty you are interesting in working with, interacting
with the current graduate students and program coordinators, and touring
the facilities, campus, and town will be much more important in your choice
of a graduate school than a research description and a list of current pubs
on an interesting professor's website. Admissions may be grueling and stressful,
but your choice of graduate schools is one of the most important ones you'll
make and will impact your life for many years to come, and the confidence
that you have made the right decision after careful consideration will make
it all worthwhile.
-Jeffrey Johnson, Graduate Student in the Olshausen Lab
Back to What the Students Have to Say!
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