<p>I know that the advisor is the #1 factor for graduate student. Many new graduates are introcdued on conferences with the name of their professor rather than the name of the school. </p>
<p>I did not do my UG here in this country so I would like to enhence my own knowledge. This is not to influence anyone's choice but a pure exercise for my own learning.</p>
<p>Is the UG research advisor an important factor for landing your first job or admission to graduate school?</p>
<p>I would say yes and no. In S1’s case, his research advisor whom he worked for as freshman, sophomore, sophomore summer, left during S’s junior year. S1 did not have another research position after that. However, he applied to many grad schools for PhD programs and that prof provided letters or rec from his new job at NIH, plus several other profs whom my son had excellent working relationships with via EC’s provided additional recs. S1 was accepted at all programs he applied (including MIT), so I think the combination of recs helped. It is not just the research advisor that knows your kid and their work ethic, etc.</p>
<p>I agree. For grad school admissions, the letters of rec, and who one did research with as an undergrad, helps tremendously. Next to standardized test scores, for our field, it is the most critical piece. </p>
<p>Now whether one is an ‘advisor’ or not doesn’t matter; many undergrads do not have someone formally called their advisor (it’s more of a term used for graduate school relationships). At least in my field.</p>
<p>Dad II,
I am not sure that this is an answer to your question. My D. is interning in Research Lab. At first, she was disappointed that her supervisor was Grad. student, not professor. However, later she realized, that she is getting more out of her experience because Grad. student is capable of explaining in more understandable way and generally has more time. D. likes her supervisor and I am not sure if she had similar relationship with professor. D. herself works as assitant to Chem. prof (unrelated to her internship) and a lot of students indicated to her that they understand her better than prof., and prof. himself commented on improved grades in class because of D’s work. I mentioned it because sometime working with peer is more beneficial than with somebody who is way above you in position and knowledge base.</p>
<p>Dad II,</p>
<p>The undergraduate advisor is not important for landing a job. Most employers don’t know names of professors and aren’t going to care who you worked under. What you did will be interesting rather than who you worked for.</p>
<p>As far as grad school admissions, I didn’t do any undergraduate research and got into University of Washington no problem. I think it might be more important if you are looking to do research while at the college (and get a tuition waiver.)</p>
<p>I think the biggest thing is to do what you enjoy as an undergrad and wait until your late junior or early senior year to figure out grad school.</p>
<p>bigtrees,
I believe that it is very important to have UG research when applying to Med. Schools.</p>
<p>The Mom: I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. How awkward.</p>
<p>TD</p>
<p>You can get into med school with any undergraduate degree. One doctor I know got his undergraduate degree in philosophy.</p>
<p>From the University of Washington School of Medicine website: “Unless you are interested in a research career, the UWSOM does not necessarily need to see an extensive research history.”</p>
<p>The very top grad schools will want to see undergrad research. Publications and letters from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s research ability are part of that. It always helps if the grad admissions committee knows (and has a good opinion of) a letter writer. </p>
<p>Doesn’t matter for a job, except in the rare situation where the advisor might have a useful contact.</p>
<p>Yes, any degree will do for Med.School, I meant that participating in research is important, I did not mean any particular degrees. I know kids with Latin, Music, English whatever…, but I heard that some schools really prefer applicants who have Research on their resume (it has nothing to do with major).</p>
<p>I’ll let you know if I get in after I apply at Stanford with no undergraduate research experience.</p>
<p>^Good luck!
D. is applying to few Med. Schools in few months depending on her MCATscore. She has no plans to go to top Med. schools, but has plenty of research and other experiences.</p>
<p>TheDad, thank you for my laugh of the day!</p>
<p>I think an undergrad research advisor can have a profound impact on a lot of things. If you enjoy working with the professor/grad student/post doc, then you’ll probably spend a lot more time in lab doing work, which leads to better recommendations, and, likely, a positive research experience which could steer you towards grad school. On the other hand, if you have a very negative undergrad research experience it could sour your taste for the work and drive you away from grad school.</p>
<p>I worked for a number of professors in undergrad and had a different experience with each. One gave me complete freedom and always had his door open to discuss problems or ideas. Another gave me a project, but let me figure out how to get it done and which experiments would be the most effective. Both of those were very positive experiences. Another gave me a project and then would avoid me in the halls and his office whenever I’d try to discuss my progress or the problem I was stuck on. Needless to say I did the minimal amount of time in that lab and definitely did my poorest work there.</p>