5 Things To Remember When Choosing a Rotation
By: Diedre Ribbens
Choosing a rotation is an exciting, but sometimes frustrating process. Many students feel overwhelmed with the number of labs to choose from, or perhaps a lab you really, really want to try isn’t open to rotation students. Here are some tips to help you navigate this confusing process.
Choosing a rotation is an exciting, but sometimes frustrating process. Many students feel overwhelmed with the number of labs to choose from, or perhaps a lab you really, really want to try isn’t open to rotation students. Here are some tips to help you navigate this confusing process.
Ask Other Students for Advice.
Every student has stories about their rotations, both good and bad. While your experience might not mirror someone else’s, it’s beneficial to sit down with other students who have rotated in the lab and ask what they thought of their rotation. You might not agree with everything they say, but they can offer valuable insight and give you an idea of the lab dynamics. You should ask students in your year as well as older students, who often have different perspectives on their rotation experience.
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Meet With Faculty Face-to-Face.
Most programs require that you meet with faculty before rotating, and for good reason. The PI wants to engage you in a conversation about science, and get to know a little bit about you and your background. This meeting is also important for you to get a feel for the PI’s demeanor, attitude, and approach to science. Don’t be afraid of discussing the science. The faculty understand that you’re still a student and therefore not an expert in their field, so come prepared with basic questions about their research, you can stimulate a discussion about their current projects and how you might contribute to their lab’s work.
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Talk to People In the Lab.
If you can, walk around the lab and meet the students, post-docs, and techs. Tell them you are thinking about rotating, and see how they react. They should be excited, enthusiastic, and welcoming. Sometimes people are busy and don’t have time to talk to you, but you can always ask to come back later when they have time to talk. You can ask them questions about the PI and the lab. Listen to what they have to say, but be wary if they are hesitant to give you any positive reviews. You want to rotate in a lab you’d actually consider joining, and one that is a pleasant place to work
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Try Something New.
Hopkins graduate programs offer a wide variety of research topics. Don’t get stuck in a rut working on things you’re comfortable with or have worked on in a previous lab setting. Branch out and try something new that sounds interesting to you. It’s ok to step outside your comfort zone for a little bit. You might end up loving the new research field, and if not, you’ll have learned some valuable new techniques or a new model system.
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Be Patient and Don’t Jump to a Decision
If you’ve met with what seems like millions of PIs and you’re still trying to sort through which lab to rotate in, take your time. You have to choose what seems best to you. Ask yourself what you want to get out of the rotation and think hard about what the lab can offer you. Above all, trust your own instinct over the opinions and suggestions of others. If for some reason a lab isn’t open that you really want to rotate in, let the PI know. They will be more likely to work with you in a later rotation if you express your deep interest and passion for their subject.
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