<p>hi guys,</p>
<p>Im planning to start a research project this summer with my uncle (engineering grad student,TA@Top 20 international), mostly Operations Research-related stuff. Problem is, wont it be a problem when they notice who signed my letter of reccomendation :< ? Im not planning on doing this to scam the adcoms. I really want to benefit, but I dont think they will see it in the same light. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Thnx!</p>
<p>Will this be your original research?</p>
<p>Yes, ofcourse! The only reason I was motivated was because my uncle is a really fun and loving person, loves to teach. Only thing concerned about is that adcoms wont value it at all since he signed it (related to me, what ccould he write other than stellar?)</p>
<p>So he will be taking time away from doing work for his adviser to help you?</p>
<p>I think that the “lead” on the proposed research project is your uncle is incidental. What matters is what you’ll learn, and of course what you’ll achieve. If the project is set in a university (lab, for example), and you’ll be spending your time in that environment, so much the better. While it may be hard to predict what you’ll achieve, if you pursue the project with passion and commitment, you’ll be able to communicate that (if you so choose) in an essay, or in some other aspect of the college application. Perhaps there will be a published technical note, and if you receive credit for the work you’ll do, it can serve as a confirmation.</p>
<p>A position as a research assistant is a difficult one to find. You almost always need some connection – possibly through a high school teacher, a relative, etc. So you may not have other options with the depth of the position you describe. Think of the position as an opportunity, and not in terms of a future letter of recommendation, or being with someone you like for the summer.</p>
<p>No, I wont be in a lab. Id be at home (cause I dont need a lab! Its systems design…although he is a chem eng TA haha), does it really matter if I was at home or in a lab…do I even need to get it published?</p>
<p>Just don’t oversell or expect your research to be the jewel of your transcript. Hopefully, your uncle will be honest in his evaluation since his name and university name will be on his LOR. Adcoms have experience reading between the lines.</p>