Quitting Research Lab Advice

[yumfood]

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Hi everyone! I am currently a 4th year undergrad and plan to apply to dental school in June. I have been with a research lab (clinical research, not dental related) for about 2.5 years now, but I have been contemplating whether I should quit to do another activity I enjoy more. I would be doing more of a teaching role, as a helper under the TA if I quit lab. I'm pretty sure this other activity, though I enjoy it more, would hold less weight than my research position. However, I'm not very interested in research and feel that I dread having to go in every week. At the same time, I'm not sure if it's just better to stay in lab since after this quarter, I only have two more quarters until I graduate. Would it be a red flag that I quit lab before graduating? Also, for reference, I am a CA resident so I'm also worried I'll hurt my chances by quitting lab since some CA schools are pretty research heavy. I would appreciate any guidance. Thank you!!

 

[mjzccle19701]

2.5 years is a long time. Finish out the quarter and quit.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Why would you stay? You have told us why you would leave. I agree, it's been 2.5 years, so tell me what you expect if you stayed there longer.

 

[yumfood]

2.5 years is a long time. Finish out the quarter and quit.

Why would you stay? You have told us why you would leave. I agree, it's been 2.5 years, so tell me what you expect if you stayed there longer.

I'm just nervous that schools might wonder why I didn't stay until I graduated, since I would've only had to stay 2 more quarters. Also, because I'm pretty sure research holds more weight for my application than the other activity I'd do if I quit. But, I guess 2.5 years versus 3 years doesn't make that much of a difference!