Two potential research positions

[Aerus]

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Hey guys,

So I emailed a few professors my resume in hopes of finding a bench research lab. I got two who wanted to meet with me, maybe do an interview, and possibly establish times.

I'm sort of stuck now. I am incredibly grateful that they are considering taking me in, even though I'm just a first year student without any prior research experience or upper division biology classes. It would seem rude to go to an interview only to tell them you have another lab you're considering.

People on SDN have recommended people to NOT do two bench labs at once, since you can't get much done in either lab that way. So what do I do?

Do I go to one interview, say no thanks to the other, and risk not even getting accepted into the one I interviewed for? Do I go to both interviews, see which one I'd prefer, and later tell one of them no, wasting their time with the interview?

I guess I don't want to seem ungrateful or rude.

One's a cancer research lab while the other one is a global health/disease lab, by the way.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Lollygag]

Which one do you think you would prefer doing? Maybe you could interview at the one that you are most interested in first before responding to the second invite. If after the first interview, it sounds like you will get the position and that you'll enjoy it then you could hold off on the next interview.

I understand why you may feel bad, but at the end of the day if you respectfully explain that another opportunity arose that is more convenient/tailored to your interests then I don't see why the professors would spite you. No one applies to 1 job at a time nowadays, you apply to several and see what you get, that's just life.

I wouldn't tell them that you have applied other places though before you get the position because they may consider other people ahead of you. Just like how if an adcom has applicant A and B who are identical and knows A has no other invites but B has 10, their more likely to take A.

 

[MedPR]

Hey guys,

So I emailed a few professors my resume in hopes of finding a bench research lab. I got two who wanted to meet with me, maybe do an interview, and possibly establish times.

I'm sort of stuck now. I am incredibly grateful that they are considering taking me in, even though I'm just a first year student without any prior research experience or upper division biology classes. It would seem rude to go to an interview only to tell them you have another lab you're considering.

People on SDN have recommended people to NOT do two bench labs at once, since you can't get much done in either lab that way. So what do I do?

Do I go to one interview, say no thanks to the other, and risk not even getting accepted into the one I interviewed for? Do I go to both interviews, see which one I'd prefer, and later tell one of them no, wasting their time with the interview?

I guess I don't want to seem ungrateful or rude.

One's a cancer research lab while the other one is a global health/disease lab, by the way.

Thanks for any advice.

Interview at both just like you would any other job.. Or med school. If both want you, pick the one you want more.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[911 Turbo]

Just email and decline if you get it. You're a freshman, they won't really care either way.

 

[Lady Netter]

Go to the interview but don't commit yet. Just tell them thank you for their taking the time to interview you and explain what their lab does. Tell them that you will think about it and get back with them. Then weigh your options and see which one you want to do. In my experience, there is a LOT of flux when it comes to labs, so don't sweat it. People come and go all the time.

 

[Aerus]

Thank you so much for all the input, guys! I decided to just schedule interviews with both.

You're a freshman, they won't really care either way.

That's a good point.