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I am applying MSTP this admissions cycle. Given my stats (avg-to-slightly below avg scores for MSTP, good upward trend, grad degree, outstanding ECs), it has been made clear to me that the rigor of my research experience is what will make or break any admissions offers.
My problem is that I'm trying to put together my Significant Research Essay, but what I had hoped would be my most significant research experience has just fallen apart; I've spent the past 5 months working full-time in a protein NMR lab, and because of a falling out with a post-doc from h@!!, I have little more to show for it than a cell and molec protocol skill set, and two intended projects that fell apart. In the first project, looking at a protein modification in an organelle, I spent a couple of months isolating the organelles from my cell line, but this falling out occurred before the protein assay was done... hence... I effectively have no data, nor can I expect to receive any credit. There goes the "science" of that effort.
The second project, I only started designing about two weeks before I learned that I would be leaving my current lab - and got no further than presenting a related a paper to my department. Out the window.
OK... so now I'm planning to move into a neurobiology lab - expecting happier times ahead. Unfortunately, I had wanted to submit my application this weekend to be as early in the submission process as possible, and here is what my research experience looks like:
One year of clinical research - effects of strength training on functional mobility in Parkinson's disease. Expecting one, or possibly two pubs from this work, and also expecting a great LOR.
One semester of organic synthesis - made very little progress (carrying 17 post-bac credits plus two part time jobs that semester) - basically completed about 4 steps in a 6-8 step synthesis. For this, all I have is some theoretical understanding of what I was doing, and one NMR spectrum that proves that I did indeed make the salt expected at step 4. I'm also expecting a strong LOR for this.
From this last experience (I guess 5 months is about one-semester in length), I have done a lot of "work" in the lab (transformations, organelle isolation, centrifugation, plasmid preps, etc.), but no actual data... so my experience essentially gets reduced to that of a tech. My PI seems to feel he can still write me a strong LOR.
Sorry for the long-winded intro; so what should I do? Is this enough to get a strong Sig. Res. essay together? Should I wait to get a couple of months into this Neuro lab, and hope to have a good essay together to submit in August, or should I just do the best I can with what I've done, write the essay and submit this weekend?
Thanks for your input!
-Mbound
My problem is that I'm trying to put together my Significant Research Essay, but what I had hoped would be my most significant research experience has just fallen apart; I've spent the past 5 months working full-time in a protein NMR lab, and because of a falling out with a post-doc from h@!!, I have little more to show for it than a cell and molec protocol skill set, and two intended projects that fell apart. In the first project, looking at a protein modification in an organelle, I spent a couple of months isolating the organelles from my cell line, but this falling out occurred before the protein assay was done... hence... I effectively have no data, nor can I expect to receive any credit. There goes the "science" of that effort.
The second project, I only started designing about two weeks before I learned that I would be leaving my current lab - and got no further than presenting a related a paper to my department. Out the window.
OK... so now I'm planning to move into a neurobiology lab - expecting happier times ahead. Unfortunately, I had wanted to submit my application this weekend to be as early in the submission process as possible, and here is what my research experience looks like:
One year of clinical research - effects of strength training on functional mobility in Parkinson's disease. Expecting one, or possibly two pubs from this work, and also expecting a great LOR.
One semester of organic synthesis - made very little progress (carrying 17 post-bac credits plus two part time jobs that semester) - basically completed about 4 steps in a 6-8 step synthesis. For this, all I have is some theoretical understanding of what I was doing, and one NMR spectrum that proves that I did indeed make the salt expected at step 4. I'm also expecting a strong LOR for this.
From this last experience (I guess 5 months is about one-semester in length), I have done a lot of "work" in the lab (transformations, organelle isolation, centrifugation, plasmid preps, etc.), but no actual data... so my experience essentially gets reduced to that of a tech. My PI seems to feel he can still write me a strong LOR.
Sorry for the long-winded intro; so what should I do? Is this enough to get a strong Sig. Res. essay together? Should I wait to get a couple of months into this Neuro lab, and hope to have a good essay together to submit in August, or should I just do the best I can with what I've done, write the essay and submit this weekend?
Thanks for your input!
-Mbound