Too Many Different Research Experiences

[notofimportance143]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I have found threads similar to this but in the pre-grad forums.

I am currently involved with three research labs on campus. One over the summer and two during the semester and summer.

Bee research - summer (EEOB)
Maternal depression lab - (HDFS)
Depression lab - (Psych)

To add to the madness my gen Chem professor said I may be able to work in his lab over the summer. I would love to be involved with this lab!

If the two projects only happen during the summer I can definitely do all four. I will have an individual project in one of them. So there will definitely be a focus on one but will this make me look bad. Seeing as every lab is in a different department?

All these experiences have been meaningful and I could definitely talk about them when asked!

 

[dreamadream]

If you can handle it, it's not too much. I don't have any research experience and I'm a sophomore. I'm starting think I wont become a doctor and I didn't pay my tuition for summer so know I can't register for classes next semester. I'll be out of school. Mood: Sad

 

[notofimportance143]

If you can handle it, it's not too much. I don't have any research experience and I'm a sophomore. I'm starting think I wont become a doctor and I didn't pay my tuition for summer so know I can't register for classes next semester. I'll be out of school. Mood: Sad

Thank you for your reply.

You don't have to have research experience to get into medical school.

I am sorry about your current situation but you can definitely still be a doctor if that is what you truly want. I hope things work out for you.

 

[dreamadream]

Thank you for your reply.

You don't have to have research experience to get into medical school.

I am sorry about your current situation but you can definitely still be a doctor if that is what you truly want. I hope things work out for you.

Thanks, I know you don't need research, but research is something I actually want to do...so yeah.

 

[notofimportance143]

You still have time. You can definitely find a lab.

 

[dreamadream]

You still have time. You can definitely find a lab.

I was thinking about NIH.

 

[notofimportance143]

I was thinking about NIH.

Go for it! Best of luck and never be discouraged. Just keep going until you get what you want 🙂

 

[robin911]

If the two projects only happen during the summer I can definitely do all four. I will have an individual project in one of them. So there will definitely be a focus on one but will this make me look bad. Seeing as every lab is in a different department?

I don't think that they look bad at all. When I applied this cycle I put down 4 different research experiences. Although, 2 of my research experiences lasted for 3+ years. When asked about my research experience at recent interviews, I chose the one that I had committed the most time to and said that I had other research experiences that taught me how to think critically.

Edit: just remember though, that while having a plethora of research experiences is good, being able to articulate why you chose those research experiences and what made you passionate about each will be key.

 

[notofimportance143]

@robin911 thank you for your reply! I feel better now. I can definitely say why I chose each one and will have at least 2 or 3 years at each.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Just make sure you give yourself adequate time to study, keep your GPA up, and rock the MCAT, if you haven't taken it yet! Research experience is awesome but it's definitely not worth sacrificing your stats. I don't think it'll be a problem that you've done research in different fields. I was in a somewhat similar situation with a few very different research experiences and no one has questioned it thus far!

 

[notofimportance143]

@thatwouldbeanarchy thanks! I plan on only doing only one research project while I study for the mcat and I'm all good everywhere else. I know I better not test my limits with this though.

We will see how things go!

Good luck with everything ! 🙂

 

[Lucca]

Are you planning on working in two or more labs at the same time? Do not do this. It will kill your productivity. Dedicate all of the time you would have spent in 3 labs to actually producing something valuable (read: publishable) from a single project. If you are spreading yourself that thin then you most likely have very little responsibility and impact in each of your research projects. One productive research experience >> many shallow ones

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Are you planning on working in two or more labs at the same time? Do not do this. It will kill your productivity. Dedicate all of the time you would have spent in 3 labs to actually producing something valuable (read: publishable) from a single project. If you are spreading yourself that thin then you most likely have very little responsibility and impact in each of your research projects. One productive research experience >> many shallow ones

This is certainly a good point. Maybe it's worth honing in on one or two research experiences where you have the highest level of responsibility and/or opportunities to do your own projects. I think it's worth pointing out, though, that publications, while awesome, are rare! Especially for an undergrad. Not saying you shouldn't aim for one but even if you devote a lot of time to a particular project, there's no guarantee you'll get published.

 

[robin911]

Are you planning on working in two or more labs at the same time? Do not do this. It will kill your productivity. Dedicate all of the time you would have spent in 3 labs to actually producing something valuable (read: publishable) from a single project. If you are spreading yourself that thin then you most likely have very little responsibility and impact in each of your research projects. One productive research experience >> many shallow ones

I actually agree with you. I was lucky because each of my 4 research experiences were all within the same realm of medicine: rheumatology. So though my projects have been as different as bench (working with mice) to biostats (public health projects), they have a common theme that I can discuss and the physicians each work for the same division at an AHC.

The OP needs to make sure that they are not adding things to their resume just to add things to their resume. It is fine to try a multitude of different experiences...but there is also something to be said about maintaining diligence to one research project and seeing it from start --> finish. Trust me, getting two research publications after working on the same project for 3+ years felt >>>>> then just having one or two more different research projects. You did tell me that you can explain them and your processes, but just make sure you stay at a project long enough to have a strong commitment. 🙂

 

[Lucca]

This is certainly a good point. Maybe it's worth honing in on one or two research experiences where you have the highest level of responsibility and/or opportunities to do your own projects. I think it's worth pointing out, though, that publications, while awesome, are rare! Especially for an undergrad. Not saying you shouldn't aim for one but even if you devote a lot of time to a particular project, there's no guarantee you'll get published.

Yah publication should never be the end goal for an undergrad but working on a publishable project should be, for three reasons: 1) it probably means you will have more responsibility and will learn more from it, 2) the project will most likely be more interesting, and finally but most importantly, 3) your PI will care about your results which will ensure that you receive some actual mentorship rather than vigorous nodding when you give her your updates.

 

[notofimportance143]

You are definitely right about the productivity!

I will either do my individual project in the depression lab or the maternal depression lab. So I will probably not stay in every lab. I also am not that interested in trying to get a publication.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I feel like I should set three as my maximum number of labs. With one being over the summer. There is just not enough time to do everything :/

 

[mcloaf]

I also am not that interested in trying to get a publication.

You should be. If you put 3+ lab experiences on your resume and don't have measurable output from any of them it's not going to reflect positively on you. Having a publication isn't necessarily the expectation, but working in a million labs and not having a publication anywhere just looks like you're bouncing around without accomplishing anything meaningful.

 

[notofimportance143]

I appreciate your opinion.

I did mention that I would have been in each lab for several years so I don't think anyone will think I bounced around. They will see that maybe research was not my main focus but I will have presented a poster at my school and written a thesis and that is enough for me.

If I get on a publication... BONUS 🙂