Ending research this semester

[grivacobae]

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Where should I turn my focus to now?

I've been in a research lab for a semester now (Fall) and still currently am. I very much enjoy what the research is over but do not enjoy that particular lab at all, after a semester I still feel out of place compared to everyone else. I would still continue the research but now that it is not enjoyable and the fact that I most likely won't receive a strong LOR from PI makes me question my stay. If I asked the PI for an LOR he will write one, but I barely see him because I only go to lab when needed and when I CAN be productive, I don't go to hang out or just sit there because that's time I can be working or studying, so PI thinks my dedication and progress are limited. I still average from 7 t 10 hours/week. I don't want to argue my side and the PhD I work under probably wouldn't help me out, so it's pointless. What would y'all do with this situation? I'm mainly concerned that when I put Research in my application and they see no LOR from PI, they'll question why, and why I only stayed for a semester and a half. Is it detrimental to my experience and to adcoms view of my experience?

Another reason that makes it seem fit to leave the lab is that I desperately needed to get a job, I am a volunteer in lab. I got one on campus as a tutor in Organic Chemistry, Genetics, and Biology and will most likely be putting in 15 hours a week plus the course load I am taking this semester, which is a heavy 19 hours. On top of studying, weekend volunteering, and commuting (surprisingly takes up quite a bit of time). So 7 - 10 hours a week extra minus the "stress" from the lab seems very tempting. What could I allocate those extra hours to? I was thinking more shadowing, but any other ideas?

So should I drop research, not receive LOR and see how adcoms take to it?
Or stick with research until Spring semester ends, most likely not receive LOR, but have a year of research instead of a semester and a few weeks?

I'm thinking of dropping research in a week or two, and concentrate on GPA and work, because honestly it's taking away from other aspects of my application and GPA always comes first.
But, what are yall's thoughts?

 

[cactus8910]

If you don't like it, drop it. Research is not a requirement for med schools, and you can pick schools to apply to that aren't heavily research-focused. I think if they see you stopped after a semester and a half, they'll just assume you tried research and decided it wasn't for you. Not having a LOR from you PI in this situation won't look strange.

 

[Lucca]

Concur with above. If your only reason to stay is to increase the number of hours in lab I would definitely drop it; especially if, as you say, the time commitment is taking away from more important things. You can always pick up research again another semester or later in your career in an environment you will actually enjoy. A PI that isn't invested in you basically just means you are in limbo, sadly enough.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

Drop it. I got in without research on my app. You can do the same if you work hard enough.

 

[soccerman93]

I agree with everyone above. I was in a situation where my PI was exceedingly busy and didn't have much time for mentoring. It felt very much like limbo. Switched to a different lab where my PI is very big on mentoring undergrads, and the difference is night and day. If you're not really getting anything done I'd leave that lab, better to switch to a lab where you and the PI are on the same page.

EDIT: you don't have to research at all if you're not feeling it, and people do get in without it. I just meant that you may find research less stressful if you are in a lab that matches your interests.

 

[grivacobae]

Sweet, thanks all for the responses!
Gonna look into a couple other labs or put it off until next year.