to tell or not to tell

sweatybrain · Jun 24, 2004

here's my dilemma.

I'm working as a postdoc at a major research hospital (which is attached to a correspondingly major medical school) in NYC. I haven't told my boss about my med school aspiration, and am wondering whether I should ask him for a letter of recommendation.

Pros:
-research supervisor
-very well known, was the dean of the medical school at one point, and can probably get me into a few medical schools.

Cons:
- I'm not sure whether he wants me to leave the lab to go to med school 🙂 I think he would prefer to have me in the lab for the next couple of years.
- I already have a surplus of potential (science) recommenders from undergrad and grad schools.

The rest of my profile is competitive. 3.9+ UG GPA in engineering, PhD in biomedical engineering from Harvard, clinical stuff, started up companies, etc. My major weakness is that I'm an international student...and the whole process seems like such a crap shoot.... I could bat 0-19. (And I would like to keep this job if I don't get in somewhere.)

anyone else in the same boat?

best of luck!

ms2209 · Jun 24, 2004

I think you should ask for the recommendation. It would look very good, and plus, a lot of medical schools I believe want to see letters from research heads with whom you've worked.

ms2209 · Jun 24, 2004

sweatybrain said:
- I already have a surplus of potential (science) recommenders from undergrad and grad schools.

Also, for this "Con", are you referring to professors or to others with whom you worked on research? Because if it's the former, this letter would count under "other activities" that you've done (an outside rec), in which case this would not be a con for your application. BTW, congrats on your great stats!

gobblety_gook · Jun 24, 2004

Harvard has a BME program? I don't think Harvard has an Engineering department...

If you're being totally honest with what you're saying, it seems like you shouldn't have any problem at all getting interviews from any school you apply too...hell, you'd probably have no problem getting an acceptence either.

I wouldn't ask your current employer for a rec. especially since you already have several good ones lined up. Plus, with your stats, it doesn't seem like you need his rec to get in anyway (assuming your MCAT score is bling bling too)

bigdan · Jun 24, 2004

Ask for it. You'll leave for medical whether or not he writes the LOR anyways, right?

dc

sweatybrain · Jun 24, 2004

Wow. that was quick. I think I could get used to the SDN addiction!

Yeah. I think most schools want letters from research supervisor. But I have had so many that if I include all of the, I'll have around 8 science letters.

I also work with an MD/PhD professor in the lab, who volunteered to write me a letter. I actually prefer a letter from him because of the following reasons:

1) he is also a clinician (chief of nephrology)
2) he knows me far better and has written a compelling letter of recommendation that he was kind enough to show me. (It was almost too good, but oh well...I'm sure I can deal with it 😉 )

ninebillion · Jun 24, 2004

gobblety_gook said:
Harvard has a BME program? I don't think Harvard has an Engineering department...

If you're being totally honest with what you're saying, it seems like you shouldn't have any problem at all getting interviews from any school you apply too...

Harvard's Division of Engineering and Applied Science indeed has a bioengineering program, though it's still in a nascent stage. It's not as well-known as the programs at, say, MIT or Georgia Tech, but it's a strong department in its own right. A lot of the Harvard bioengineering research focuses on robotics and the development of surgical tools.

I think MGH and other hospitals associated with Harvard Medical School have their own biomedical engineering departments, but I don't think they are traditional degree-granting programs. There are a few orthopaedic bioengineering labs, and some instrumentation (and radiology) labs.

Tippy007 · Jun 24, 2004

I would take the risk and tell him. You're going to med school eventually (so sooner or later he will know) and can achieve this goal more easily with his help. It is your life, not his, so as long as your not leaving him high and dry, I wouldn't feel guilty about leaving and crushing his dream of having you do his work in a lab for the next 3 years.

Sage880 · Jun 24, 2004

Sounds like you've got one foot out the door already with your comments about wanting to keep the job if you don't get in.

Do whatever you need to do to give yourself the best chance of getting in this year. And from what I hear, make sure you don't let on that you're making plans in case you're not accepted. I think the only answer med schools like to hear is, "I will keep on applying every year until you accept me!"

furyhecla · Mar 18, 2011

Hi -

I'm not in the same situation as you...but perhaps the end result of my similar decision will help you... I have a Ph.D. in research biology (wildlife --- not medical related at all). And I had the same dilemma. To tell my colleagues (and boss) or not. My change is so big, it is a complete change of career. When should I tell them, before I get into Medical School? But... it would be people in my field who would provide the best LORs.

Ultimately, I decided that in order to have enough time to spend studying for the MCAT, I had to work part time. My job is 40hrs+, in addition to spending a lot of time traveling and in the field (i.e., cannot study in a tent). So after my husband got a better paying job, we decided I could go part time... this required telling my boss (and all my colleagues).

They were surprised, perplexed and disappointed. But ultimately they have been proud of my decision as it is what I want to do, and have granted whatever time off (unpaid) I need. I think that being honest with them, with sufficient prep. time on their parts to deal with my impending resignation, generated more respect from them. As a result, a LOR will be better. It was a tough decision, but I think it is the right decision.

aSagacious · Mar 18, 2011

h9i9j9 · Mar 18, 2011

7 year bump eh? sigh.....just start a new thread man and if you want you can link the other one...

JKinSC · Mar 18, 2011

furyhecla said:
Hi -

I'm not in the same situation as you...but perhaps the end result of my similar decision will help you...

I'm guessing probably not.

to tell or not to tell

sweatybrain

Senior Member

ms2209

Senior Member

ms2209

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gobblety_gook

Senior Member

bigdan

SDN Donor

sweatybrain

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ninebillion

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Tippy007

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Sage880

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furyhecla

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aSagacious

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h9i9j9

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JKinSC

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