Research PI question...

[vickpick]

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I am planning to take a class over the summer called Biology Of Insects.

It is the one of the only two classes I can take after core Bio's . The other one is Cell Biology, which I'll be taking in the fall.

I've heard that it is essential to take a class with a professor before approaching him/her to ask if you could join his/her research. I am taking the class solely because I would like to research with the professor. If I wait till Fall, chances are that I won't be starting any research until Spring.

My question is - Is taking this class worth it? - Considering the fact that even after taking the class, I might not get into his research. I'll be applying to med school next summer. I'll like to bag some research experience before application.

Any other advice on how to get into a research is welcome.

Vick

 

[yangxx2]

I am planning to take a class over the summer called Biology Of Insects.

It is the one of the only two classes I can take after core Bio's . The other one is Cell Biology, which I'll be taking in the fall.

I've heard that it is essential to take a class with a professor before approaching him/her to ask if you could join his/her research. I am taking the class solely because I would like to research with the professor. If I wait till Fall, chances are that I won't be starting any research until Spring.

My question is - Is taking this class worth it? - Considering the fact that even after taking the class, I might not get into his research. I'll be applying to med school next summer. I'll like to bag some research experience before application.

Any other advice on how to get into a research is welcome.

Vick

I've had a few professors who are that way. Why are you really determined to work with this professor if you've never taken a class with him? (I'm not bashing...it's an honest question)
I would talk to him in person, explain your interest in working with him, and show that you're eager to do research with him. Look up what he's searching, and show him how much you know. Ask if he requires you to take his class prior to research--although that seems to be most likely. Then, ask if he's taking any students for the fall semester.

You probably want to be sure he'll take you on before taking a summer class

 

[nlax30]

Yea, I wouldn't say it's a general "requirement" to take someone's class before doing research with them. Why don't you go talk with him first and see if he wants you to take the class or not. If his research involves stuff some core concepts that his class covers then yea he may want you to take the class either during or before starting research with him, just ask.

Bigger question though: Don't do this just to "bag some research" for an application. Are you truly interested at all in his research? Doesn't sound like it's a class that you would take otherwise so why do you want to do research with this particular professor?

 

[vickpick]

I've had a few professors who are that way. Why are you really determined to work with this professor if you've never taken a class with him? (I'm not bashing...it's an honest question)
I would talk to him in person, explain your interest in working with him, and show that you're eager to do research with him. Look up what he's searching, and show him how much you know. Ask if he requires you to take his class prior to research--although that seems to be most likely. Then, ask if he's taking any students for the fall semester.

You probably want to be sure he'll take you on before taking a summer class

I dont have a choice. He is the only professor teaching a class I can take next. The prof's from core bio dont research. The other - as I mentioned - is cell bio and I know for sure that I have to take the class to research with the cell bio prof.

 

[vickpick]

Yea, I wouldn't say it's a general "requirement" to take someone's class before doing research with them. Why don't you go talk with him first and see if he wants you to take the class or not. If his research involves stuff some core concepts that his class covers then yea he may want you to take the class either during or before starting research with him, just ask.

Bigger question though: Don't do this just to "bag some research" for an application. Are you truly interested at all in his research? Doesn't sound like it's a class that you would take otherwise so why do you want to do research with this particular professor?

I like his research - I love habitat preservation and endangered species preservation and stuff of that sort. And that is exactly what he is researching on. He is working on this Species of sunflower native to NC that is endangered.

I am a very shy person. But I'll try to gather some guts to approach him and talk to him.

 

[ksmi117]

I like his research - I love habitat preservation and endangered species preservation and stuff of that sort. And that is exactly what he is researching on. He is working on this Species of sunflower native to NC that is endangered.

I am a very shy person. But I'll try to gather some guts to approach him and talk to him.

Well, you're gonna have to talk to him sooner or later. Might as well do it before you take a class this summer for no reason.

Edit: Post 1111

 

[tiedyeddog]

I was never taught by either of the P.I.'s I have worked for. Not a requirement. Good references? Requirement.

 

[vickpick]

O ok, so it is necessary to have taken a class with the PI to get a good Letter Of Recommendation...

 

[LizzyM]

O ok, so it is necessary to have taken a class with the PI to get a good Letter Of Recommendation...

Absolutely not. Someone can get a LOR from a PI without having taken a class with the PI. I see these all the time. A PI will write about your efforts in the research setting (lab), your work ethic, your collegiality with other members of the team, your personality. It is a qualitative measure of characteristics that aren't always evident to classroom teachers (particularly in the sciences) and they do provide valuable information to adcoms.

Not the end of the world if you don't have one (a letter from a PI), unless you are applying for MD/PhD in which case it is essential.

 

[vickpick]

No, there is no way I'm applying to MD/PhD.