<p>So, I'm doing research in a lab currently but I'm getting really bored. I dont have my own project but I'm working together with a graduate student on a project that is really interesting to me. The problem is, i'm not doing much. My graduate student tells me to stuff that I find really boring- label this, mill this, and extrude this. Sometimes I come into lab and there isn't much to do. I feel like I'm wasting my time but I know I need research for grad school and that is my only motivation to go to lab everyday (I've only been in this lab for the past three weeks , by the way). Should I continue researching or approach someone about my situation?
Also, I'm trying to apply to Chemical Engineering graduate school (Masters, not interested in Ph.D), and I'm wondering what graduate schools I have a shot at. I currently will have a 3.45-3.5 GPA by the end of this semester graduating from a top 10 program. I will have a year of research under my belt by the end of next fall. My GRE have been approximately 770Q 500V. Also I've had two internships</p>
<p>iambored, welcome to the bottom of the food chain. Profs dump on the grad students who dump on the undergrads. You have only been there for three weeks and it isn;t unusual for you to be used as a gopher at this point. Do the best you can with the tasks you are assigned. Perhaps the way to approach this is to ask how these low-level tasks fit into the over research scheme and how to expect the tasks to change over the course of the semester. Heck, the grad student may still be trying to figure out what he is doing.</p>
<p>Have you considered retaking the GREs?</p>
<p>I thought about it. Do my GREs look bad for M.S. programs? I’m kind of worried about my GPA- not sure if the fact I’m coming from a top 10 program will offset how “sub-par” it is.</p>
<p>iambored, are you definitely out at Texas? Have you spoken to the graduate advisor in your department?</p>
<p>Your GPA will be fine for many schools outside of the MITs and Stanfords of the world. It won’t make you a shoe-in but your research experience and pedigree from UT will help. Your GRE score will likely be slightly below average (most places 780/790 is more average).</p>
<p>Overall you will be fine. Research, letters of recommendation and GPA will be the biggest factors in your application. It will be a little easier since you just want to do an MS as well.</p>
<p>As to your original question, geo pretty much hit the nail on the head. You’ve been in the lane for 3 weeks and you are an undergrad. You aren’t going to earn the trust for big projects overnight. You have to pay your dues like everyone else. Heck, I was still doing mostly those kind of jobs for at least my first semester as a graduate student. Hang in there!</p>
<p>Thanks boneh3ad you’ve been really helpful on these forums. Do you know if grad schools look at major GPA also? which one (cumm. or major) do they give preference to?</p>
<p>It depends on the school. I know that unless otherwise specified, I just reported major GPA on my applications (and noted that I was doing so). They get yor transcript anyway so they knew that I had ~3.4 overall, but my major was significantly higher.</p>
<p>For most schools the GRE won’t hurt you except if it is a big red flag. 770Q is probably one of te easier things to improve one your application so if you start getting too paranoid, tht is one thig you an definitely improve on.</p>
<p>Otherwise just make sure your colleagues in the lab like having you around. Not only is the experience invaluable, but having a good reputation with them will really help the professor’s eventual reference letter.</p>
<p>Usually new students in labs get tested with fairly boring mundane tasks to see if they’re competent in the first place. We generally see a good number of students in our lab throughout the course of the year, and a good number of them I’d never trust to run a machine I’ve spent the last few months putting together.</p>
<p>Also, if you weren’t there, who do you think would be doing the work you’re complaining about? That’s right, the grad student. The person that likely has a few years more experience in that lab than yourself.</p>
<p>Some professors give you your own project and guide you, like mine. But you got find the right one.</p>