<p>I emailed a professor about research. He responded by telling me I would be able to research with his "PhD graduate student." Should I take the offer? Who would ultimately be writing my recommendation letter if I assume I will ask someone in the research lab for a recommendation? What are the pros and cons? </p>
<p>To me it sounds like a PhD graduate student is just a regular graduate student. Maybe he meant I wouldn't actually be doing research directly with him in the lab (which is normal, right?) but rather, with his graduate student.</p>
<p>The professors are usually the PI's and don't actually do much of the actual work. You'll either be doing your own project or working with grad students when you do research.</p>
<p>norcalguy: Thanks for the response. I have another question. I am a psychology major and another professor doing psychology research said he would "definitely consider me in December and January." Should I just take the offer given by the first professor even though it is biology research? I'm assuming that medical schools view research as research and don't really prefer I research in my major.</p>
<p>Work on the project that you are most interested in.</p>
<p>In all honesty, getting a letter of rec from a graduate student will not be enough. you'll need the professor to co-sign as a stamp of authority. anyways, as norcalguy said, take research on a topic you are interested in. It seems like there is a lot of research available at your school so do some reading on the topic and see if it would be fun. If i were you, the psych research sounds appealing just because its with an actual prof not a grad student. And no it doesn't matter what you do research in, just that you do research in something.</p>
<p>Let me get this straight. So if I decide to research with the grad student then I will not be able to get a stamp? Why would this be considered difficult? If this is not a challenge then I see no difference researching with a professor vs. researching with a grad student.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the prompt and informative responses.</p>
<p>i meant "stamp of authority" in a figurative way. usually it will be the prof writing the letter anyways, but if the grad student does write it, then the prof will usually cosign the letter. dont worry too much about the letter, but focus more on which project would interest you the most.</p>