Choosing A Lab

[browntown666]

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Sophomore here. Been in a lab for a year now. Recently began considering switching labs or even doubling up, but I'm not sure what's best. Was hoping I could get some insight.

Option 1: Stay in lab A
Solid mentorship, somewhat independent (but still working with a grad student), pretty much guaranteed at least one second author pub. PI doesn't really allow undergrads to present at big conferences, but he writes strong recs and undergrads who stay in the lab for long periods of time have solid outcomes. Potential for an fully independent project and first author pub but probably wouldn't be out before application time unless I take a gap year.

Option 2: Join lab B
Smaller lab, PI not as experienced mentoring undergrads, but he's generous with publications. Could probably get at least 4 second or third author pubs before app time. Doesn't really allow big presentations of research either, and probably writes decent recs. Not sure where he stands with giving undergrads fully independent projects, but papers in this field come out quickly so I could get one out before app time.

Option 3: Join lab C
Pretty new PI. He doesn't seem to take many grad students or any postdocs. Instead he takes in a ton of undergrads and some do well but most don't seem to get much out of it. Maybe 1 in 10 end up getting first author pubs and going to conferences. High risk, high reward.

Option 4: Some combination
Work in multiple labs concurrently. If I have the time, would it be better to sink it into one lab or diversify?

 

[swiftimpetuous]

I would choose A or B based on your fit with the lab, and with the grad student who's going to mentor you in particular. A seems nice because you have a general idea of what outcomes for people who were once in your position are. I would really suggest not trying to work in multiple labs at once; dedicate yourself to one thing and do it exceptionally.

 

[Lucca]

4 is bad. Nothing good will come of it.

3 is a red flag. A lab run primarily by undergrads is likely skating by on low grant funds and taking advantage of cheap labor. The shotgun approach to finding good potential scientists.

1 sounds like the best option.

Setups where you are working on a project as a part of a team with grad students and postdocs are ideal for UGs IMO. You will have plenty to do, and plenty of potential for independence. You’ll learn a lot from everyone’s varying levels of expertise