Importance of other students in choosing a group

[Leveret]

Hey all,

 

I'm in the process of choosing a research group for my PhD, and I've narrowed it down to two major possibilities.  They're both doing research in the physical sciences that seems really interesting, and I think I would be happy on that front regardless of my decision.  The differences lie in how I feel about the people in each lab: I click well with the PI of Group A, but I don't feel like I connect with the other students very well.  There haven't been any negative interactions with them per se, but the positive interactions have been a bit of a struggle.  On the other hand, I get along really well with the students in Group B, while my interactions with that PI have been good but nothing special.

 

Can anyone who's been through it comment on how important meshing with your lab-mates is, relative to clicking with your PI/adviser?  Is it common for your lab to become your main social group, or is it fine to have a so-so rapport with your lab-mates as long as you have friends outside of the lab?

[Tall Chai Latte]

I think it comes down to how comfortable do you feel being with a certain group -- is positive interaction essential, or all you need is doing good work? It's important to have both, but the ratio various from person to person. I click fine with my PI and lab mates, I also have social circles outside of lab. They complement each other, that way I can always find someone to grab a bite with.

[Eigen]

I think having colleagues you enjoy is exceptionally important, as is having a mentor you work well with. 

 

That said, neither of those necessarily need to be either your group-mates or your PI. You can have colleagues in your department that you have lunch with, bounce ideas off of, and collaborate with even if they aren't in your group. Similarly, you can have a mentor outside of your PI- in some cases, it's even helpful to have a second mentor even if you really like your PI. 

 

In your case, I think it's going to have to come down to a gut call- neither situation seems bad, as neither situation has a lot of negative interactions- just good vs very good. 

[St Andrews Lynx]

You will have more face-time with your group members than your PI during the course of your PhD, so I think it is important that you are happy to be around them. If the group is generally a quiet one that is very different from if the group talks amongst themselves...but not to you. Also, as introverted scientists one group may just take a bit longer to warm to you. 

 

For me, the decision was a 60-40 weight between Group and PI. I also think it is important to have a social circle outside of the lab: I think it stops you going stir-crazy! The perspectives and experiences of non-scientists/grad students is always really helpful, too.

[Leveret]

Thanks everyone!  It sounds like this is just something I'll have to reflect upon, then, but your advice has given me a few more good points to think about.