I'm doing research for biology independent research course credit and having major issues with finishing up my paper by the end of the semester since my research mentor (not at my college) is having some family issues and and constantly cancels my meetings with him. There's nobody else available that I could go to for help on the research either. Should I ask the professor in charge of the course for an extension on the deadline? ...I think it's possible to get an "incomplete" for the course, then turn the paper in next semester. How bad does an incomplete look on the transcript?