immunogal
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Posts posted by immunogal
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A bit late to the reply but I have definitely experienced this in my rotations. With the lab I wanted to join the most I was competing against 6 other students for only 2 spots. I agree that the most important thing is to not make these people your competitors! You need to keep in mind that any of them might join the lab and that you could easily not end up in that lab. Before agreeing to this, make sure you have a backup in case you don't get chosen. Additionally, you have to keep in mind that you are evaluating the people you are rotating with at the same time because you might have one as a colleague for the next five years. Lastly, just for yourself and trying to get the position, put the competition out of your mind and make sure you get face time with the professor but show your independence and your ability to fit in with the lab. Be confident and you will do great!
To Comentor or not to Comentor--Please help!
in Research
Posted
Hi Everyone,
Thank you in advance for all of your help! I am really perplexed as to what lab I should join. I have two very distinct labs that I am interested in joining and both have fatal faults which makes me very unsure of my decision.
I am leaning towards either joining Lab 1 alone or Lab 1 and 2 as a comentorship however they are not buddies (nor are they enemies) and have very different personalities so, while they are currently collaborating on a project, there is no telling what a comentorship would be like. I am considering a comentorship because Lab 1 is so young I have no idea if he will get good publications or be a good mentor and I believe he is overwhelming himself by taking on 3 grad students all at once. Additionally, Lab 2, while adding credibility, writing expertise, and a focus on my favorite cell type, also allows me to do some awesome research techniques which are uniquely their own and rarely shared. Plus the both of the labs' research very nicely compliments each other and adds a burgeoning part of the field to each lab's repertoire (and mine o.o). I have yet to talk to either lab about comentorship as I want to solidify my decision before I do. Thank you for all of your help!
Lab 1: a very young PI who is likely taking on way too many grad students this year, including one I don't particularly enjoy as a colleague, but whose overall lab and research is a better fit. Personality = reserved
Lab 2: a PI of 10+ years who has an established publishing record (important to me!) but also way too much on his plate (large-ish lab, 2 companies, etc.) and VERY hands off/not very collaborative. Overall still a pretty dang good research fit and a good lab environment but you only meet every other month or so. Personality = Talkative/Get it done type of person
I know neither the individual labs nor the comentorship are ideal but please let me know any thoughts or questions you may have! I have been talking and thinking about this for almost a month now and can use all the help I can get.