Would research-heavy schools frown at dropping research?

[SleepingPillow]

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Hi all,

Trying to decide if I should go back to research.

Context: I have been in the lab since beginning of sophomore year, including summers, so I have extensive hours and experience, resulting in a mid-author publication in nature. Took this semester off mainly because my mentor moved away and also my schedule didn't really allow much time in lab. I have the opportunity to go back to the same lab if I wanted to, but it probably won't be very involved (I'll just get shoved in with some other postdoc/grad student). I have an unfinished project that I could finish and submit for publication, so I could work on that also.

If I don't go back, I will apply for a fun barista job that's more convenient and more pay.

Main concern is if research-heavy schools will look down on me stopping research in my last year?

 

[Goro]

Hi all,

Trying to decide if I should go back to research.

Context: I have been in the lab since beginning of sophomore year, including summers, so I have extensive hours and experience, resulting in a mid-author publication in nature. Took this semester off mainly because my mentor moved away and also my schedule didn't really allow much time in lab. I have the opportunity to go back to the same lab if I wanted to, but it probably won't be very involved (I'll just get shoved in with some other postdoc/grad student). I have an unfinished project that I could finish and submit for publication, so I could work on that also.

If I don't go back, I will apply for a fun barista job that's more convenient and more pay.

Main concern is if research-heavy schools will look down on me stopping research in my last year?

Nope

 

[Catalystik]

Trying to decide if I should go back to research.

Context: I have been in the lab since beginning of sophomore year, including summers, so I have extensive hours and experience, resulting in a mid-author publication in nature. Took this semester off mainly because my mentor moved away and also my schedule didn't really allow much time in lab. I have the opportunity to go back to the same lab if I wanted to, but it probably won't be very involved (I'll just get shoved in with some other postdoc/grad student). I have an unfinished project that I could finish and submit for publication, so I could work on that also.

If I don't go back, I will apply for a fun barista job that's more convenient and more pay.

Main concern is if research-heavy schools will look down on me stopping research in my last year?

I'm presuming you are now in your fourth year of college. Two academic years plus two summers makes you "good to go" for application to research-oriented med schools. And if asked, your reasons for discontinuing your involvement (loss of mentor and needing better pay) are satisfactory.

 

[Moko]

You've already shown your research chops and have good reasons for stopping. If you don't think the remaining time in that lab will be spent productively, pursue something else that will help broaden your horizons and grow as an individual. A temporary gap in research will not be looked upon negatively in these cases. Experience in the service industry is valued and viewed positively.