Wait it out until next year/Technician transition into grad school?

[abbythespoon]

So, I've been to 4 interviews so far, but have not heard back about acceptances from those places. If I do get accepted into a place that I don't really love that much, is it a bad idea to decline and apply again next year? Also, have people had experiences with getting a technician job at the lab/school they want to attend and finding that it's easier to get accepted into that grad school/program? I am thinking about trying that to get into the school my S/O wants to go to. Thoughts?

 

Thank you!

[Earl]

If you decide to reapply next year, how will your application will be different from the one you submitted this year?  In my experience, it is difficult to find tech work for just a year.  The PI/lab spends resources/time to train you and have the expectation for you to stay ~2 years, so they may not be happy if you leave within a year, unless you plan to tell them that straight up and see what they say.

I have been a technician at a school I want to attend (a couple years ago), but it still did not work out in my favor.  I know a couple other people in similar boat in this application cycle where it didn't work out.  Still, it probably varies case by case.  I don't think it helps much unless the PI you tech for is on admissions or something.

[thorerges]

I am going open a thread on this very topic. I will link it here. 

[thorerges]

Anyways, I would say technician for 2 years should do the trick (thats what I did and I got into all my top schools).