For an undergrad, which is more important? LoR or publication I'm an undergrad studying math and CS at a US college. My plan is to go for a PhD in machine learning afterwards. Currently, I have two research experiences under my belt. The first experience has finished, and I have a strong LoR and a first-author publication at a small conference (along with two second-author workshops). The second experience is on-going.
My dilemma is that my second experience has very low probability of me publishing anything. In this experience, I work closely with a professor at my college, along with several lab mates, but she is an undergrad professor so her focus is on teaching. In other words, although she can write me a strong LoR (we know each other quite well), I basically have no hope for publishing (at least she hasn't brought this up by herself).
So, my question is, should I give up this opportunity to pursue one elsewhere that might result in a publication? Or should I stay with this opportunity and keep working hard and impressing this professor?
*Context: machine learning PhD application is quite fierce nowadays and more publications should help, but LoR also helps, so I'm confused.
In the US, good letters of recommendation are a must. Research experience, especially resulting in publication is definitely a plus, but since it is still a bit rare, you are probably already ahead of the curve there.
The &quot;problem&quot; with undergrad research is that, given the time (and maybe money) constraints it is hard to reach a conclusion on anything that is very significant. In research, you don't know the answers when you start and you are looking at the unknown. There is no schedule that you can apply to actually reach finality unless the problems are rather straightforward. The time between writing the paper and publishing it can also be long and indeterminate if the journal is reputable. Conference publication is a bit more time predictable, since the conference will be held on a certain date, but if you miss a deadline, the next opportunity might be a year away.
If you are doing something hard, then my recommendation would be to keep at it. People will, I think, reward you for that even if you don't reach a conclusion, provided that the advisor can praise your efforts and predict your future success.
I think you are already in a good position on this point, though doctoral admission is dependent on many things beyond the two you mention. But, in the US, letters are essential.