second interviews (?)

[cluelesspremed]

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I had a question for both fellow interviewees and current students-

On second interviews at schools we've been accepted to, how many potential research mentors should/could we ask to speak to?

I honestly would like to explore a bit (depending on which schools I get into) different fields before deciding where to do my PhD research and really was hoping to find an area I was passionate about clinically and doing research in that area...

so I really don't know how to pick professors to speak to on my second interviews?

Also, what does a typical day/2 days speaking to PIs at the institution entail?

Thanks!!

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I think exploring a bit is a very good thing. That's what I did when I went to two places for a second visit.

I would give them as many names as you can. Clearly indicate to them a certain order in which you have your preferences. However, given scheduling issues and the fact that some of the faculty may not be in town, it doesn't hurt to give them a big list of names.

OK so how do you actually pick the names on the list? That's easy 🙂. Keep an open mind (which it seems you're doing already). Read through the faculty research interests catalog/book and just circle anything that seems interesting. Now if you're circling like a hundred names, then you will need to wittle down the list. Think of these folks as your potential mentors. Things to take into consideration are the following:
(a) Does the lab have only postdocs, just students, or both?
(b) What is the publication record? When is the last time this PI has even published?
(c) Go to the lab website if there is one--how big is the lab? Would you rather work in a big lab where you will get less mentorship from the boss? Or would you work in a smaller lab where you will have input into multiple projects?
(d) Has the lab trained MD/PhD's before? Are there lots of MD/PhD's in the lab currently? (if so, you get the impression that the lab is successful and the PI is doing something right!).
Ultimately, when you are picking labs, you need to clearly pick a lab whose interests captivate your own interests. But there are other factors that relate to your graduation. Try to pick a mentor who will be there to mentor you (unless you're the bomb and you're pretty independent anyways). Try to pick a lab where the research is hoppin'--i.e., you will publish! Then when you do rotations, try to find a lab where you get along with the people. I know this is too early to think about these things but these are some issues you should be thinking about.

I've never been on a 2-day second visit. I can imagine that being quite exhausting. But at this point, if you've been accepted, the pressure is off. You can relax, breathe a little, and get exposure to some fantastic research (and lemme tell ya, when you hear the research from a PI's mouth versus reading a research synopsis on paper in a brochure, catalog, or book, these are totally different things).