in a difficult situation regarding research. please advise.

[lessthanzero]

I am a graduating senior. I have worked in my current research lab for close to 2 years. I work independently on my own project so there aren't any postdocs or graduate students supervising me and keeping tabs on what I've been up to. Up until this semester, I dedicated a lot of time to lab, and my PI has had a great impression of me.
This current semester, because of my heavy course load and because I needed to apply for gap year jobs, I told my PI that I would not be able to spend as much time in lab as I previously did. He totally understood, but based on that conversation we had, he still held the expectation that I bring my project to a conclusive point. However, I have been extremely overwhelmed these past couple of months, and essentially, I haven't been in lab... and the project has made no progress. Like I mentioned earlier, there is no one keeping tabs on me so the PI most likely doesn't know to what extent I have been "flaking" on my "duties."

I want to come clean to him because it's inevitable that at the end of the semester he will ask me about the progress of my research. Given that I have about a month of school left, and finals are on the horizon, I just don't think it's feasible that I take any more time out of my schedule to try and bring the project to wraps. Additionally, the project that I've been assigned is complete crap and has no value, but I'll spare you the details on that. I'm scared of how this might impact my chances at medical school, but at the same time, I'm also very fed up with my whole experience in this lab.

I have several options:
1) Work like a dog until the semester ends, at the expense of my grades, so that I'll MAYBE have some results and the PI will see that at least I MAYBE accomplished something (with the way things are going with this project, everything is failing so results are not a guarantee)

2) Confess to the PI that I have been bogged down with other things and was not able to work on the project, and will likely be unable to make any more progress for the rest of the semester. Pray that he will be understanding and still write me a positive letter in light of this and that this would not negate my hard work the first 3 semesters I worked in the lab.

Please advise.

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[immoore]

If I were you I would definitely let your PI know what's going on. Not getting your project done isn't the end of the world, but keeping your progress from them would be a problem. Based on what you said they know you wouldn't be in the lab all the time, so I don't think not finishing the project is the end of the world (plus when it comes to research, no project is ever "done". Just let them know because even if you don't finish if they take someone else on they need to know where the project stands. Don't feel you have to make the choice between your grades and the research.

 

[tiedyeddog]

I would come clean with your current progress to your PI. Don't kill yourself or hurt your grades, just be honest.

 

[lifetothefullest]

I would also make an appointment with your PI as soon as possible to discuss the current progress of your project. It's understandable that you're bogged down with schoolwork. And especially since the project itself has little scientific value from what you described, I wouldn't beat myself up too badly over it. If it was a work that could get published, etc. the PI might be mad because had you come clean about it before, somebody else could have carried on and made progress and gotten it published before other competing lab groups published similar results. But since it likely isn't publishable in the first place, there's little reason to be irritated over it. However, I don't get why a PI would assign a project that has no value - that just sounds like a waste of money and resources to me.

 

[lessthanzero]

Thanks for all the advice. I don't think my PI will really care whether this project is finished or not because it holds very little importance, so at least I have that going for me. I'm most worried about how this might affect the rec letter he writes. I would hate if the hard work and the good performance I put in before this semester was "forgotten". Shouuld I bring up the rec letter simultaneously? I am applying this cycle. How can I best go about this?

 

[sephora89]

I'd be weary of getting a LOR but that's because I am extremely cautious and paranoid when it comes to these matters.

Unless you're applying MD/PhD I do not see why you absolutely need a rec letter.

And I'd definitely prioritize grades over lab work.

 

[Doug Underhill]

In science, a project is rarely truly finished. There are always future directions to take it in. What do you need to do to get a publication/presentation from it? When it comes to research, getting a letter from your PI is always nice, but if you have something to take away from it, that will be even more important.

Even if you haven't done enough to earn one of those, being able to show that you contributed to something is a worthwhile pursuit.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Come clean and talk to him. If you can try to finish the project over the summer after you gradate. This way he will still commend you for the committment. Its never good to leave something unfinished

 

[lessthanzero]

How do I broach the subject of the letter of rec? I think it would look suspicious to med schools if they saw that I worked in a lab for 2 years without a letter. That being said, I really don't think my PI's the type to write bad letters and he's previously written me positive letters...other undergrads that have quit mid semester got into great grad and med schools, presumably with a letter written by him, and he cares a lot about where his mentees' success because it's a reflection on himself...)...I just don't know how to bring up the subject in light of coming clean.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Meet with him this week. Do not delay it any more. When you meet with him, tell him that you have envisioned progressing through your project but you did not have the time to do it because of a, b, and c. Tell him that you do not want to leave things unfinished and if you can stay over the summer to wrap things up. Ask about Letter later. Do not bring these two up at the same time. I recommend you to ask him in a week about the letter.
I highly recommend staying in the summer to finish. Again, this depends on your plans but it will tremendously help you in your letter.

 

[Catalystik]

How do I broach the subject of the letter of rec? I think it would look suspicious to med schools if they saw that I worked in a lab for 2 years without a letter. That being said, I really don't think my PI's the type to write bad letters and he's previously written me positive letters...other undergrads that have quit mid semester got into great grad and med schools, presumably with a letter written by him, and he cares a lot about where his mentees' success because it's a reflection on himself...)...I just don't know how to bring up the subject in light of coming clean.

Split this into two conversations. See how he takes your progress update first, then let it sit for a bit. You might get a vibe during conversation #1 about whether to broach conversation #2 at all.

In light of the response above, if a letter isn't submitted until the end of the summer, I doubt it will negatively impact your application process.

 

[lessthanzero]

Thank you all. Unfortunately staying over the summer isn't an option for me. Fingers crossed the PI will be understanding and forgiving. Any further advice on how to carry the conversation with him is always appreciated.