Instructions for Domestic Applicants

Thank you for considering our program for your graduate training needs. Please use the drop down menus to learn more about the application process for domestic applicants. We encourage applicants from all science majors and actively seek diverse scientific backgrounds among our entering students.

All application materials should be submitted electronically in the application portal.  To apply, create an account and select "Neuroscience Graduate Program" in the program list. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  1. A research statement (explained below)
  2. Growth oriented mindset essay (explained below)
  3. Social responsibility in science short answer (explained below)
  4. A copy of your transcripts (unofficial are accepted)
  5. 3 letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation from advisors or colleagues who know the applicant in a research environment, not just a class environment, are an important component of the application
  6. A copy of your CV or resume
  7. Previous work samples (optional) (i.e. previous publications, posters, senior thesis, etc.)

Each applicant is assessed across 6 metrics that we believe are important for graduate student success in our program. For a detailed description of these 6 metrics, please visit our program’s What we look for in prospective applicants page.

Note: GRE score submission is optional and scores are not used as a component in the application review process. If you wish to submit GRE scores, OHSU's ETS institutional code is 4865.

Please write your research statement in an essay format. Each of the following sections (1-3) should be addressed in your research statement. This statement should be no more than 2 pages.

  1. Describe your natural curiosity and how it relates to your interest in scientific discovery

    Please describe a time when you became interested in learning how something worked, whether it was a system, concept, or physical object. This interest can be related or unrelated to science. Describe how this natural curiosity relates to your interest in scientific discovery.

    Why this is important:  Scientists are oftentimes naturally curious about how things work and demonstrate this through the pursuit of knowledge. From understanding single cells to understanding the universe, a scientist’s curiosity has no limit.

    Questions to get you started:  What are you most curious about? What steps did you take to further your understanding of this topic? How has this experience shaped your desire to seek out new information and learn more about the world around you?

  2. Describe your participation in and understanding of scientific research by providing an overview of the research project you were most involved in (no more than 2 projects).

    Examples of research experiences may include but are not limited to undergraduate or summer research experiences, scientific honors thesis research, post-baccalaureate experiences, research assistant positions, or any other research experience you think may be appropriate.

    This overview should include the following:

    a) Your lab’s overarching research focus;
    b) The specific question the project aimed to answer, why this question is important, and the expected findings;
    c) Key experiment(s) and methods used to answer the project’s question(s) and why the experiments/methods were chosen; and
    d) If applicable, the results of the experiment(s).

  3. Describe your research interests and its alignment with our program’s research expertise.
    Please name 2-3 faculty whose research you’re interested in and demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about their lab’s research.

    Why this is important:  We are interested in determining if your research interests and the type of research our program offers are aligned. Describing which neuroscience topics you’re most interested in, the labs you're most interested in, and why you are specifically interested in those labs helps us evaluate our alignment.

    Questions to get you started:  Which neuroscience topics including but not limited to molecular, cellular, developmental, systems, computational, translational, are you most interested in? Which NGP faculty would you be interested in working with? What is it about their research that interests you?

We believe that a well-rounded scientist has technical expertise in their field in addition to a ‘growth-oriented mindset’. We summarize and define a ‘growth-oriented mindset’ by three main characteristics: (1) Adaptability; 2) Commitment to Learning; and 3) Interpersonal and Intrapersonal skills.

Prompt: In one page or less, please describe how you embody the three characteristics of a growth-oriented mindset. Please provide at least one short personal or professional example for each characteristic. Feel free to use examples that are related or unrelated to science, as we value both.

We have provided some questions within the NGP Growth-Oriented Mindset Characteristics  document to help you get a better understanding of these characteristics. You are not required to answer these questions to complete your essay; however, you may find them useful to get started.

Please read our program’s Anti-Oppression Statement. We believe scientists have a social responsibility to help address societal issues. The NGP Anti-Oppression Statement explains our efforts to address these issues within our program, but there is still much work to do both inside and outside of the university.

Prompt: In 350 words or less, what role could scientists play in addressing societal issues caused by systems of oppression? As a graduate student, what do you think your role could be, and what actions could you take, to address societal issues either inside and/or outside of our university?

For additional content to understand the barriers to racial equity in STEM, see the Core Concepts area of the Racial Equity Tools website.