Letters of Recommendation

[13132]

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So I am working in a lab right now and I definately won't know my professor well enough to get an LOR. Is it bad that I will not have one from my research director? Also how do admissions look upon one semester of research and no
more...I absolutely hate it.

 

[DrSmooth]

You won't actually need it until July at the latest. You sure you can't win him over by then?

 

[13132]

Well I'm a freshman right now. I thought I would give research a try but apparetly it is something I am really not interested in. I am doing e-beam lithography on an SEM if that explains why I lack enthusiasm about it.

 

[Revenant]

-________________________________________-

 

[Mayssy]

 

[Catalystik]

It's better to have a semester of research than none at all.

You have plenty of time to get another research experience in an area more interesting to you. You could hope that activity works out well enough to earn a good recommendation letter.

 

[Morsetlis]

1 semester of research is too much like a checklist activity. At least try it for a year.

 

[bravofleet4]

i don't think for research asking for a LOR after just one semester is appropriate. i mean what did you do in the lab? unless you put in lots of hours +20 every week, I can't imagine you were learned a lot and did all sorts of procedures. you want the medical schools to see that you were entrusted with real responsibilities and accomplished a great deal in the lab.

if you don't like working there, then start looking at other research opportunities. you're only a freshman. you have plenty of time. you may also want to consider just talking to your PI or supervisor to see if you can do other things in the lab.

 

[Bernoull]

OP why on Earth r u worried about LORs as a freshman.. and doing research already 😱😱

 

[JJMrK]

Stick it out for another semester or over the summer. You might find that as you learn more about it, you'll like it.

 

[13132]

OP why on Earth r u worried about LORs as a freshman.. and doing research already 😱😱

I have always heard it is better accumulate letters as you go since you will be fresh in the minds of the professor. Also, I am not really "researching" i see what I am doing as manufacturing objects for use in the actual "research".

 

[BBender716]

I have always heard it is better accumulate letters as you go since you will be fresh in the minds of the professor. Also, I am not really "researching" i see what I am doing as manufacturing objects for use in the actual "research".

There's your problem. Stick around long enough to be involved at a higher level. No one I know thinks the base menial tasks are interesting or right for them, but it's where everyone starts. Once you get into the higher level tasks/contributions, it is MUCH more likely to be interesting. Bare with it! 🙂

 

[Morsetlis]

He can always get an updated letter later.