weighing my options about research

[Uafl112]

dear SDNers,

So I met with my professor who ive been doing research with to discuss putting me on a project. Ive been at this place for a semester doing some immunohistochemistry (IHC); however, the work I have done isnt really anything significant, just characterizations of antibodies. So he shot me down saying that im still not ready for a project. Also, we discussed a letter of recommendation. He said that he wont write the best letter, but a decent one (because I havent done a whole lot and considering that I will need it by june). I wont be able to do a project long enough for him to write a good letter.

So, he left me with two options. I can stay and do the small stuff (brain sectioning and characterizations), but I wont really get a meaningful experience out of it to talk on my AMCAS app. Ill get a letter but it will be decent. If I leave, I have the potential to find another great research spot, but I will have to start from scratch

Bestow me with wisdom, SDNers. What should I do?

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[kyamh]

It isn't good that he said he wouldn't write a great letter...If I were in your position, I would ask the PI whether I could improve my contribution to the lab in a way that would warrant a great letter and see what he says.

I would not quit before being sure that you have a better backup option, but I would probably start looking(again, based on what the PI says).

Edit: rather, I would ask "how" I could improve my contribution to the lab

 

[Lya]

Quitting a lab after a semester is not recommended, unless you are having a bad relationship with your mentor or you aren't learning anything.

Since you are only in lab for a semester, it is understandable that your mentor doesn't see you prepared yet for a project. It is not your fault or your mentor's fault. It is very common and understandable.


No research mentor will probably write an extraordinary letter for anyone who has been in the lab for only a semester. I would stick to that current lab and ask your mentor for advice: "What else should I learn in order to lead a project independently? Can I collaborate with someone for a project? What advice do you have for me as I go into a second semester in this lab?"


Show interests to learn and to take initiatives for projects. Don't quit just because a mentor won't write a great letter.

 

[Oso]

Quitting a lab after a semester is not recommended, unless you are having a bad relationship with your mentor or you aren't learning anything.

Since you are only in lab for a semester, it is understandable that your mentor doesn't see you prepared yet for a project. It is not your fault or your mentor's fault. It is very common and understandable.


No research mentor will probably write an extraordinary letter for anyone who has been in the lab for only a semester. I would stick to that current lab and ask your mentor for advice: "What else should I learn in order to lead a project independently? Can I collaborate with someone for a project? What advice do you have for me as I go into a second semester in this lab?"


Show interests to learn and to take initiatives for projects. Don't quit just because a mentor won't write a great letter.

Completely agree. OP, unless you are truly incredible (like whoah), no one can start their own project after just one semester of research. And of course the PI can't write you a strong letter yet. I highly recommend you stay in the lab and continue to take on more responsibilities. If you were to find a new lab, you'd have to start from the beginning and would get an even blander letter, or perhaps no letter at all. If you really want your research to be a significant part of your app, then your best option is to wait another year before applying.

 

[taffer]

Is there any way you could stay and work over the summer to learn other techniques? The tough thing here is people are not going to want to invest time in training somebody who will be gone at the end of the semester. It would make more sense to train somebody else a year or so younger than you who will be able to contribute to the lab for some time.