Is this appropriate?

[FishyTheFish]

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I e-mailed a professor about research and he hasn't responded yet, would it be appropriate for me to e-mail a grad student in his lab and ask the grad student if the professor is on vacation or if he just doesn't respond to undergrads? Or would it seem like I'm going behind the professor's back and asking his lab members for information. His response is holding me back from asking other professors because I don't want to have two labs say 'yes..'

 

[qwerty2012]

Professor probably just taking time to respond.Ask the grad student. I think best is to apply to as many labs as possible that you are interested. Some won't bother respond back at all. But many will do and take time.

 

[kami333]

Depends if you know the grad student personally or not. Even if you didn't it's nothing major, I've had people ask if so and so is around before.

 

[FishyTheFish]

Thanks for the replies, I e-mailed the grad-student, hopefully he replies..

How do you guys apply to multiple labs at once, what do you do if more than one say yes? Do you just tell the other ones that accepted you that you found a different lab?

 

[ILuvScience]

I just had this problem the other day. I just sent the professor another email about a week later : )


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[FishyTheFish]

just curious, did he respond to the second e-mail?

 

[ILuvScience]

My bad. Yes, he did.


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[calvnandhobbs68]

Thanks for the replies, I e-mailed the grad-student, hopefully he replies..

How do you guys apply to multiple labs at once, what do you do if more than one say yes? Do you just tell the other ones that accepted you that you found a different lab?

Typically they'll want to meet with you first to make sure you aren't going to be a waste of time. So I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you've met with multiple labs. If that's the case, then it's absolutely fine to tell them that you thought their work is very interesting but you've decided to work in a different lab. Just don't wait forever to do it...try to make a decision pretty quickly after meeting with the PI. You should already have a good idea of what they do so it's really a matter of if the PI's personality puts you off/if you don't like how big or small the lab is/if you like or don't like the grad students/whatever.

 

[Propylene]

Just to echo, it's ok to ask more than one lab and choose one that seems to fit well. Professors are really busy so emails do get lost, but try not to spam them either. Good luck!

 

[lovesfall]

I e-mailed a professor about research and he hasn't responded yet, would it be appropriate for me to e-mail a grad student in his lab and ask the grad student if the professor is on vacation or if he just doesn't respond to undergrads? Or would it seem like I'm going behind the professor's back and asking his lab members for information. His response is holding me back from asking other professors because I don't want to have two labs say 'yes..'

Profs can be notoriously difficult to pin down.

Did you send a CV? Did you review his research and explain specifically why you wanted to work with him?

I don't think there's any harm in asking people who work there, as they may be able to recommend you, but it's not a substitute for making a good solo effort. If you don't know the grad student, I would say don't do it -- because that's just weird and desperate. I've had people I don't know email me for a line in on jobs, but generally they were referred by someone I knew and trusted.

I wouldn't let this non-response hold you up from asking others. The worst thing that happens is that you line something up and then tell everyone else, "Sorry, I was interested, but someone else got me first." It's OK to do that and it doesn't make you waste time waiting around for people to finally get to your email in their box.

Explore things you might like and if people express interest, talk to them in more detail. This isn't just about finding a spot - it's about finding a good fit for you and for them.

 

[Violagirl]

You should already have a good idea of what they do so it's really a matter of if the PI's personality puts you off/if you don't like how big or small the lab is/if you like or don't like the grad students/whatever.

This is exactly what I did. I had been in a lab for a few over the summer then decided it wasn't going to work out as I ended up being put off by the PI's personality and was unable to ask for information from anyone else in the lab as they were out helping another PI for the summer. I so far have two interviews and hoping to get one more to transfer into a different lab this coming fall. Each lab's research focus sounded interesting to me, now just hoping to get an idea of what each personality is like to determine who will be the right fit.

 

[FishyTheFish]

Typically they'll want to meet with you first to make sure you aren't going to be a waste of time. So I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you've met with multiple labs. If that's the case, then it's absolutely fine to tell them that you thought their work is very interesting but you've decided to work in a different lab. Just don't wait forever to do it...try to make a decision pretty quickly after meeting with the PI. You should already have a good idea of what they do so it's really a matter of if the PI's personality puts you off/if you don't like how big or small the lab is/if you like or don't like the grad students/whatever.

The professor replied and you predicted it! She said she wanted to meet me to talk about the research position. What should I expect when I go to meet her? Am I supposed to dress up for an interview 😱

I was planning to just go to the meeting wearing casual clothes, is that acceptable?

 

[ILuvScience]

The professor replied and you predicted it! She said she wanted to meet me to talk about the research position. What should I expect when I go to meet her? Am I supposed to dress up for an interview 😱

I was planning to just go to the meeting wearing casual clothes, is that acceptable?

Yay!!!!! I would dress up : )


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[Praefectus]

If someone offers you a position, you should take it unless you've seen that professor on a Chris Hansen special.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

The professor replied and you predicted it! She said she wanted to meet me to talk about the research position. What should I expect when I go to meet her? Am I supposed to dress up for an interview 😱

I was planning to just go to the meeting wearing casual clothes, is that acceptable?

Yes, I would definitely dress up. Dress up for all interviews from now on...you can never go wrong dressing up and it shows people you're taking the position you're interviewing for seriously.

Expect to talk about the type of research she's doing. Why are you interested in it? Why her lab instead of other labs? What particularly drew you to that? You'll need to make something up for this even if you haven't thought about it yet. Make sure you've read a couple papers her lab has put out so it's clear you know exactly what they do there. She'll probably want to know if you've had any experience (sounds like you haven't).

She might ask what your future plans are (post graduation). This is always a tricky one because some professors have been burnt in the past by pre-meds who wanted to check boxes off and get a letter and didn't give a crap about the actual lab work. If I were you, I'd say that you aren't sure and you wanted to get more experience in the research side (of whatever field of science it is they do).

Be prepared to ask a few questions and assess what she's like. Is she looking for just a lab tech to do crap work or are you going to be able to actually get in on a project? Are you going to have your own project (more rare) or are you going to be helping a grad student on one of their projects (more likely)? How many hours a day does she expect you there? What types of projects do they have going on right now that you could possibly work on?

Don't put everything as bluntly as I did but hopefully you get the idea.

 

[FishyTheFish]

Yay!!!!! I would dress up : )


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I guess dress pants and a shirt will do? Suit seems overboard..

Yes, I would definitely dress up. Dress up for all interviews from now on...you can never go wrong dressing up and it shows people you're taking the position you're interviewing for seriously.

Expect to talk about the type of research she's doing. Why are you interested in it? Why her lab instead of other labs? What particularly drew you to that? You'll need to make something up for this even if you haven't thought about it yet. Make sure you've read a couple papers her lab has put out so it's clear you know exactly what they do there. She'll probably want to know if you've had any experience (sounds like you haven't).

She might ask what your future plans are (post graduation). This is always a tricky one because some professors have been burnt in the past by pre-meds who wanted to check boxes off and get a letter and didn't give a crap about the actual lab work. If I were you, I'd say that you aren't sure and you wanted to get more experience in the research side (of whatever field of science it is they do).

Be prepared to ask a few questions and assess what she's like. Is she looking for just a lab tech to do crap work or are you going to be able to actually get in on a project? Are you going to have your own project (more rare) or are you going to be helping a grad student on one of their projects (more likely)? How many hours a day does she expect you there? What types of projects do they have going on right now that you could possibly work on?

Don't put everything as bluntly as I did but hopefully you get the idea.

Thanks for the information! Do you know if professors normally tell you right away weather you're accepted/rejected or do they say something like "I'll tell you via e-mail later.."

 

[Violagirl]

I guess dress pants and a shirt will do? Suit seems overboard..



Thanks for the information! Do you know if professors normally tell you right away weather you're accepted/rejected or do they say something like "I'll tell you via e-mail later.."

Dress pants and a dress shirt should be acceptable. 🙂 And from my experience, it normally varies. I had one professor tell me they would let me know and they emailed me a few days to let me know they had decided on someone else. The PI that I had worked for for part of the summer had told me that I would start whenever I was available so again, seems to vary depending on the PI and the research involved. 🙂

 

[jojoflynmonky]

i'd ask the grad student. At the very least, that way you know what to expect when you do ask the professor again.

 

[kpcrew]

I think it's much more prudent to visit a professor in their office. Why would anyone say yes to a faceless request?

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Go ahead and ask, I don't see the problem.

 

[911 Turbo]

The professor replied and you predicted it! She said she wanted to meet me to talk about the research position. What should I expect when I go to meet her? Am I supposed to dress up for an interview 😱

I was planning to just go to the meeting wearing casual clothes, is that acceptable?

Yes. This is what you should do. Some shorts and a polo would be appropriate.

Yay!!!!! I would dress up : )


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No.

Yes, I would definitely dress up. Dress up for all interviews from now on...you can never go wrong dressing up and it shows people you're taking the position you're interviewing for seriously.

For a lab job? Not really....

I guess dress pants and a shirt will do? Suit seems overboard..

No... polo and shorts.

Dress pants and a dress shirt should be acceptable. 🙂

Ok for a girl... its different.


Please do not wear a dress shirt and dress pants to an interview. Let me tell you whats going to happen if you wear a dress shirt and dress pants to your lab interview.

The moment you walk in the door, all the postdocs and graduate students (who are wearing camo shorts and a tshirt of either their undergrad institution or a rock band) will look at you and form an impression of you. They will think you are some dorky little kid who dressed up to impress the PI. When he is conducting the short 15 minute interview (which might actually be in the lab when he is doing experiments, and not giving you his full attention), he probably won't notice that you dressed up.

The pecking order in the lab goes like this

PI ---> Lab Managers ---> Senior Post docs -----> Junior Post docs ----------------> Senior Graduate Students ----------------------------------------------------> New Graduate Students ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Undergraduate students

Before you even walk in that door, they have already formed the impression that you are a cute little tyke who doesn't know what he is doing and that you will drag them down.


I am being dead serious. No guy dresses up... I have never seen any guy do this. Please don't.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Yes. This is what you should do. Some shorts and a polo would be appropriate.



No.



For a lab job? Not really....



No... polo and shorts.



Ok for a girl... its different.


Please do not wear a dress shirt and dress pants to an interview. Let me tell you whats going to happen if you wear a dress shirt and dress pants to your lab interview.

The moment you walk in the door, all the postdocs and graduate students (who are wearing camo shorts and a tshirt of either their undergrad institution or a rock band) will look at you and form an impression of you. They will think you are some dorky little kid who dressed up to impress the PI. When he is conducting the short 15 minute interview (which might actually be in the lab when he is doing experiments, and not giving you his full attention), he probably won't notice that you dressed up.

The pecking order in the lab goes like this

PI ---> Lab Managers ---> Senior Post docs -----> Junior Post docs ----------------> Senior Graduate Students ----------------------------------------------------> New Graduate Students ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Undergraduate students

Before you even walk in that door, they have already formed the impression that you are a cute little tyke who doesn't know what he is doing and that you will drag them down.


I am being dead serious. No guy dresses up... I have never seen any guy do this. Please don't.

Just because that's not what you did when you went to your lab interview doesn't really say much. I don't know what you're talking about with the "won't notice you while he's doing experiments" thing. Most interviews take place in a PIs office and while he/she will show you around the lab I doubt it'll actually be in the lab space itself. Most PIs who run any decent sized lab aren't working in it themselves anyway...I've known quite a few who don't step foot in the lab except to check up on the grad students/postdocs.

For one example, our medical school has a summer research program that lots of the med students participate in. Almost EVERY student that met with their PI for the first time (including myself) wore a shirt and tie (whatever is equivalent for girls). I'm not saying to wear a shirt and tie necessarily but you don't need to be rollin with the grad student look. Nobody was rockin the AE polo and cargo shorts, I'll tell you that.

 

[911 Turbo]

Just because that's not what you did when you went to your lab interview doesn't really say much. I don't know what you're talking about with the "won't notice you while he's doing experiments" thing. Most interviews take place in a PIs office and while he/she will show you around the lab I doubt it'll actually be in the lab space itself. Most PIs who run any decent sized lab aren't working in it themselves anyway...I've known quite a few who don't step foot in the lab except to check up on the grad students/postdocs.

For one example, our medical school has a summer research program that lots of the med students participate in. Almost EVERY student that met with their PI for the first time (including myself) wore a shirt and tie (whatever is equivalent for girls). I'm not saying to wear a shirt and tie necessarily but you don't need to be rollin with the grad student look. Nobody was rockin the AE polo and cargo shorts, I'll tell you that.

Yeah... but you don't know the size of OP's lab.


Idk, wear a dress shirt and dress pants if you want. But you run a good risk of looking like a fish out of water.

And almost no one in the REU program at our university dressed up in the first meetings they had.

 

[Violagirl]

Yes. This is what you should do. Some shorts and a polo would be appropriate.



No.



For a lab job? Not really....



No... polo and shorts.



Ok for a girl... its different.


Please do not wear a dress shirt and dress pants to an interview. Let me tell you whats going to happen if you wear a dress shirt and dress pants to your lab interview.

The moment you walk in the door, all the postdocs and graduate students (who are wearing camo shorts and a tshirt of either their undergrad institution or a rock band) will look at you and form an impression of you. They will think you are some dorky little kid who dressed up to impress the PI. When he is conducting the short 15 minute interview (which might actually be in the lab when he is doing experiments, and not giving you his full attention), he probably won't notice that you dressed up.

The pecking order in the lab goes like this

PI ---> Lab Managers ---> Senior Post docs -----> Junior Post docs ----------------> Senior Graduate Students ----------------------------------------------------> New Graduate Students ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Undergraduate students

Before you even walk in that door, they have already formed the impression that you are a cute little tyke who doesn't know what he is doing and that you will drag them down.


I am being dead serious. No guy dresses up... I have never seen any guy do this. Please don't.

Lol ok when I said "dress shirt", I only meant the equivalent of wearing a nicer shirt in terms of what would be appropriate dress wear for guys.

Best of luck to you, OP! Let us know how it goes. 🙂

 

[Praefectus]

Nothing's wrong with business casual.