How many labs of interest should a program have to justify applying?

[deleted728364]

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Of course, this is purely a rule of thumb and "fit" can be an intangible thing, but I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on how many labs (that an applicant can realistically see themselves working in) a program should have to apply. Obviously 1 seems too low, as does 2 (in case PI loses funding, lab is already full etc)... 3 might be realistic, and 4+ sounds like a potential top choice for an applicant?

Any related thoughts that current applicants/students used to pick schools, or adcoms use to judge whether a student is a good fit are interesting and welcome!

 

[wondervisions]

I think @Fencer recommends 3 minimum

 

[pcsrkkhlt]

3+ is helpful. Fewer than 3 may prove difficult later on.

Edit: be sure to check on NIH Reporter for whether your PIs of interest are still running labs and are at the institution - sometimes the school's website is not accurate on whether PIs are still there or if they are still running labs.

 

[eteshoe]

3-5 is my heuristic. At 6+ you may need to pear down your interests but YMMV.

 

[Neuronix]

It's great if you can actually meet with 3+ labs you like too. "Not available" way too often means PI is leaving, PI has no funding, PI is not allowed to have MD/PhD students, etc.

 

[deleted728364]

It's great if you can actually meet with 3+ labs you like too. "Not available" way too often means PI is leaving, PI has no funding, PI is not allowed to have MD/PhD students, etc.

This is helpful, thanks! Will reach out to PIs

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

Along a similar line of thinking, would it be a typical to have labs of interest across departments?

As an example, I am looking at UCSF and there are two labs in their bio engineer in department I am interested in, one in their biomedical sciences department, and three in their tetrad curriculum. I have previous experience in fields related to the focus of each of the labs, but would I be looked down on or not taken seriously for not narrowing my scope?

I am experiencing this at almost every school I’m looking at. Where the prospect of labs are just so numerous and diverse.

 

[EileenX]

I think you'll be fine. I listed labs of interest across BME, regenerative medicine/developmental biology, and neuroscience based on my previous experiences at most of the schools that interviewed me. I felt like I was taken pretty seriously. I think the program directors know that we don't necessarily have a concrete interest yet.

 

[Neuronix]

This is helpful, thanks! Will reach out to PIs

Actually wait. I misread your post. If you can identify 3+ labs based on websites then apply. You should not consider contacting labs until you've been invited to interview.