A Discouraging Lab Experience

[Granny Watkins]

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[eggs13]

I'd suggest you not take it personal and to try contacting this professor again.

 

[Greedo]

I think that you shouldn't be discouraged from applying to MD/PhD programs because of this. The PI may just be really busy this semester. I'd stop by her office and just be really friendly, ask how the lab is doing, and ask if she got your emails. It sounds like she would write you a good letter so I wouldn't give up on it. And don't leave it out of your application unless you're totally sure (like she tells you directly) that she won't write you a letter.

 

[yehhhboiii]

she might have missed your emails or maybe read them and decided to reply later but forgot. professors are busy and it's very easy to do that. just drop by her office during office hours and say hello. but a letter from a professor that you did research with is not mandatory.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Talk to the PI. Don't make conclusions beforehand. Even if it seems the PI doesn't like it, you should list it. If you worked with a post-doc, have them write the letter. If asked, say you asked for a letter from them because they saw your day to day work.

 

[Greedo]

It's the end of the semester(no more lecture days) and finals week right now, she's probably super busy because I remember how busy she used to tell me she was during exam weeks. Should I visit her office at this time or maybe wait until the beginning of summer? I'm taking summer classes so I would be on campus then, and I feel as though waiting until Fall semester would be far too long.

You could try going to her office now just to say hi, mention that you remember how busy she is this time of year, and ask if she has more time at the beginning of the summer to talk. Either she'll drop everything and talk to you then or you guys can meet in a few weeks. Either way, don't make her feel bad for not replying to your emails! That could get awkward.

 

[DokterMom]

You could try going to her office now just to say hi, mention that you remember how busy she is this time of year, and ask if she has more time at the beginning of the summer to talk. Either she'll drop everything and talk to you then or you guys can meet in a few weeks. Either way, don't make her feel bad for not replying to your emails! That could get awkward.

Agreed. Talk to her in person and be flexible about being available at a time that's best for her. Sounds like there is some snag -- maybe you offended her in some (unknown) way or made an error of some type. Perhaps your email had some ambiguous wording that she took the wrong way? Or maybe she thinks really highly of you and wants to do more than some variation of her 'standard' LOR -- but knows that will take more time, which she hasn't been able to come by and is now feeling guilty about that...

Talk to her in person. And give her an 'out' if she wants to take it.

 

[lcck]

Meet with her in person and ask her for a strong LOR.

Don't read too much into her not replying to your emails.

 

[911 Turbo]

Lol opie chill out she is probably busy. Just go to her office and ask if you must know...

Reading your posts though, I'm not understanding why you wanted to go Md/PhD. Are you actually passionate about research? Your professor doesn't reply your email and now you don't want to do mdphd?

 

[Dral]

Welcome to professional life. If this is the last time this type of thing happens to you, then...well, it won't be the last time. Don't take it personally.