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I should be applying to some MD/PhD programs this summer since I finish in the Fall, maybe spring (if I decide to extend my college stay). That said, it is clear I need to do research in the summer. In that regard, I applied for a summer program at an institution in TX. I sampled the list of researchers and found someone I wanted to work for in particular. The focus of his research appealed the most to me, compared to the other two investigators I had to put on my application.
After sending in my application which I think is very strong (I have 1 pub and 1 in prep. from my past research and SOLID LOR from advisor), I emailed this guy and said I loved their program and that if I got an acceptance I would love to work with him since the focus of his research on NE monoamines in the nervous system closely mirrors my future research interests. I told my advisor what I did, and he said it might hurt my application. He said it was unethical, and that even if I was to do that, I would have gone into more detail by telling the guy what exactly I wanted to do in his lab as inferrable from his past publications.
One thing is that I really want to be at this program, but I don't want to dig a hole for myself by saying things I really don't understand or how they are being performed. From personal experience I have been thrown into labs I didn't want to be involved in simply because the person I indicated on my application did not have any space or random matchings foiled my propositions. My email to this guy was to emphasize that I loved their program and wanted to work with him IF accepted (I already stated this in my application) , so as to avoid being thrown into labs I didn't really fancy.
I see MSTP applicants calling schools expressing interest and sending letters of intent. I think this strays far from what I did and should be VERY unethical.
What do you guys think?
After sending in my application which I think is very strong (I have 1 pub and 1 in prep. from my past research and SOLID LOR from advisor), I emailed this guy and said I loved their program and that if I got an acceptance I would love to work with him since the focus of his research on NE monoamines in the nervous system closely mirrors my future research interests. I told my advisor what I did, and he said it might hurt my application. He said it was unethical, and that even if I was to do that, I would have gone into more detail by telling the guy what exactly I wanted to do in his lab as inferrable from his past publications.
One thing is that I really want to be at this program, but I don't want to dig a hole for myself by saying things I really don't understand or how they are being performed. From personal experience I have been thrown into labs I didn't want to be involved in simply because the person I indicated on my application did not have any space or random matchings foiled my propositions. My email to this guy was to emphasize that I loved their program and wanted to work with him IF accepted (I already stated this in my application) , so as to avoid being thrown into labs I didn't really fancy.
I see MSTP applicants calling schools expressing interest and sending letters of intent. I think this strays far from what I did and should be VERY unethical.
What do you guys think?
