Which situation is better?

[glasscandie]

I got a tentative invite from a faculty member at UMD to do an (unpaid) summer internship (have to re-contact him in a few months).

Currently, I am interning at Hopkins working with 2 researchers and on 3 different studies; in addition, I am doing my senior thesis there. I was recommended to apply for a fellowship, which would fund me over the summer to continue there, and I literally just started getting paid for my hours. I guess I'm just that awesome

Anyway. So I don't really want to leave Hopkins, I feel like I'm getting a really in-depth look at researching in the field of neuroscience - I'm part of planning meetings, meeting with collaborators, analyzing data, brainstorming when issues come up with projects, etc. Not to mention - possible funding.

However, at this point in time, I only have two PhD letters of rec - my two supervisors from Hopkins. The other letter I have secured is from a clinical/research internship I did at a psychiatric rehab. facility, where I did some research and some clinical stuff - but she's an LCPC, and it doesn't have much to do with neuroscience.

Is it better to do the summer internship, so I would possibly be able to have 3 letters of rec's from PhDs? I suppose I could ask one of the collaborators on the projects I'm involved in for a letter, right? Or is that not something you do? I'm not very close with any of the faculty members at my school, though I do know 1 who'd be willing to write me a letter, but it'd probably be very general.

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[Ollie123]

Is this an either/or decision?

If so, to me it seems a no-brainer to stay at Hopkins. Sounds like you're getting great experience, you're getting paid, you are applying for a fellowship. Assuming neuroscience is your long-term goal, Hopkins is certainly one of the best places in the country to be (if not the world).

Slowing your work at Hopkins down over the summer for the sake of getting a 3rd letter of rec seems like a waste. There has to be another way to get a letter. You could ask a collaborator, though if they don't know you well I'm not sure its the best option. Are you planning on applying in the fall? Your timeline matters some here since it dictates how much time you have to track down that extra letter.

How far along are you on your honor's thesis? If it hasn't started yet, here's a thought. Find a way to expand it that requires incorporating someone else's expertise, be they one of current collaborators, or someone completely outside the lab you track down on your own. Meet with that person, and then they are "your" collaborator rather than just another name on the grant you work on who barely knows you. Would look good for a variety of reasons, and gets you a letter without having to throw away what could otherwise be a super productive summer.

 

[glasscandie]

That's a really good idea, to get a collaborator! Most of the projects I'm working on w/one of my advisers has a toxicology collaborator, I wonder if he would be interested in incorporating his expertise into my thesis...that would mean $$ though, b/c it would require blood draws and stuff. I'm working on a 2nd revision of my proposal, so we're anticipating sometime in the spring to start trying to train the baboons/gather data. Maybe I'll talk to my supervisor and see what her take is on it. I love this internship, I didn't really want to end it in the first place, but it's additionally hard to turn down the NACS program at UMD, because that is one of the places I want to apply.

 

[Eruca]

I would agree with the above about staying at Hopkins. Breaking the continuity of the work you're doing there just to find an extra letter does seem a bit overly complex.

Are you still enrolled in classes? If so, can you use the spring semester to find a professor that you can ask a letter from? I think it would be good to round out your 3 letters with a faculty member who is familiar with your academic work, as most places look for letters that can speak to several areas. (e.g., I did very well in undergrad stats & got a nice letter from the prof, then 2 letters from researchers).

Also, don't worry too much about the NACS program -- you'll be an excellent candidate regardless of not working there. You sound like you're on a great path.. good luck to you!

 

[glasscandie]

Thanks all! I think I will stay at Hopkins afterall. I never really wanted to leave, anyway! Just wasn't sure what the best path was.