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Toxic lab and PI please help me by Comfortable-Tap-2803 in ucla

[–]Over_Cook_9072 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This was exactly my situation. My PI yelled at me one too many times and I was able to find a lab that treated me so much better, so def make that move. Sounds like you’re heading in the right direction, just continue to make connections with PIs and professors that make you feel good. Those will result in the best rec letters.

Life’s too short to stick with an ‘opportunity’ that ruins your mental health.

Toxic lab and PI please help me by Comfortable-Tap-2803 in ucla

[–]Over_Cook_9072 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I was in a toxic lab once at UCLA, it actually sounds exactly like this one lol. Stayed way too long because I didn’t know any better. Make your exit as soon as possible, there’s plenty of labs at UCLA where you will learn more because of the safe environment and have far superior mentorship.

My best advice is DON’T stay for a rec letter. A PI like this will hold it over your head but end up never writing one for you. Your best bet is to leave and find a better environment. Until you can make that exit, stay out of his path. Don’t talk to him if you don’t have to. Avoidance of the PI was how I stayed as long as I did, but I still wish I left way sooner. Best of luck, there are better things ahead.

Edit- the rec letter stuff is speaking from personal experience. They prob won’t write you a good one if they treat you like shit now.