AnOnlinePersona

Fantastic advice, thank you so much.

Hello, I am currently a third year engineering student at a top 20 university for the field. I have worked in one of my past professors labs for the last 6 months and they have recently begun to talk to me about their desire for me to join their lab as a graduate student once I finish my undergraduate studies. My problem with this is that while I do appreciate the opportunity they have given me by allowing me to work in the lab, along with the generous offer to join the lab as a graduate student, I do not want to join the lab upon graduation for a few of reasons. Firstly, while I do want to pursue a graduate degree, I would prefer to pursue one at a different university as I have lived in the same location for my entire life (grew up in same city as the college I am currently attending). Secondly, while the professors research is interesting, it is not of personal interest and is not something I would like to spend 5+ years of my life on, and as such the lab would not be a good fit for me. Seeing as I still plan on applying to graduate school and will needs letters of recommendation, I was planning on asking this professor for a letter. How (if at all possible) do I tactfully decline his request for me to join his lab while requesting letters of recommendation for other graduate programs? I feel as though this is disrespectful and rude to him. I also feel that he knows me best and would be able to write a very strong letter of recommendation for me. Any advice? Has anyone been through this before? Thanks for your time.