I have applied to two labs and both professors seem open to accepting me. What if they both accept me? How would I reject the other professor without hurting their feelings or making it seem like I was just there to waste their time?
I have applied to two labs and both professors seem open to accepting me. What if they both accept me? How would I reject the other professor without hurting their feelings or making it seem like I was just there to waste their time?
They are professionals, you aren't going to hurt their feelings by not taking the job. Just thank them for their time and consideration and say that after thinking about it you didn't feel that the lab was the right fit for you but you hope they find the right person...or something along those lines. It isn't rocket science.
They are professionals, you aren't going to hurt their feelings by not taking the job. Just thank them for their time and consideration and say that after thinking about it you didn't feel that the lab was the right fit for you but you hope they find the right person...or something along those lines. It isn't rocket science.
Read the lab website and a couple abstracts enough to have a general idea what the lab is studying and why you're interested in it.
If you are interested in having a long term project resulting in an abstract or publication, mention that in the beginning. If not, no need to.
Bring a notepad, paper, and your CV. The PI might show you the lab and give some details about what kind of things undergrads have done/can do so take thorough notes.
Also, when comparing labs, focus on a few things:
What is the quality of research coming out of the lab?
How responsive and engaged is the PI to your questions/will they make a good mentor?
Will this PI kill you if you make a mistake? (You will make mistakes starting out- everyone does haha, it's a part of research.)
Do the people in the lab appear miserable or excited about their research?
Is there the opportunity for a long term project?
How many people are in the lab? 15 students and 1 PI means you will never see that PI haha. If there are a lot of people but a good Postdoc:Student ratio you could be ok.
Don't be afraid to ask students in the lab how their projects are going and how often they get to meet with the PI. If the answer is they're not and never, then you figured out which lab not to join haha.
Also, how would I get to meet a PI before I actually join a lab? I don't want to make the mistake of joining, finding out the PI is mean,etc, and then leave the lab, which I presume would not be desirable..
I definitely would like to get published, but wouldn't that make me seem pushy asking that early?
Also, how would I get to meet a PI before I actually join a lab? I don't want to make the mistake of joining, finding out the PI is mean,etc, and then leave the lab, which I presume would not be desirable..
IMHO, mentioning that you want a publication seems naive.
In my experience, most PI's will interview you before they let you join so I don't see their personality being too much of a mystery.
I have applied to two labs and both professors seem open to accepting me. What if they both accept me? How would I reject the other professor without hurting their feelings or making it seem like I was just there to waste their time?
You don't have that luxury as an undergraduate. You can go to myedu or a similar site and try to find out the professor's ratings and comments but that's pretty much the extent of it.
I've heard of PIs hoodwinking graduate students for months and then totally changing attitude when the grad students officially join the lab... you never know.
I have applied to two labs and both professors seem open to accepting me. What if they both accept me? How would I reject the other professor without hurting their feelings or making it seem like I was just there to waste their time?