Bad terms with PI

[Ariadne]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Unfortunately, this is my first and only research experience. I'm looking to join another lab but that won't be until summer time and I intend on applying this coming cycle so I'm really worried about how this will affect me. It's strange how something I volunteered for and committed myself to would actually turn into a possibly of having a negative effect on my application. Nevertheless, it is my fault and I accept the consequences. Thanks a lot everyone for the advice.

Committing yourself to something and not following through on it IS a negative, so it's not really that strange...

 

[HopefulOncoDoc]

True, but it isn't like I completely neglected my job. I still worked my but off in lab. There were numerous times where I came in at 2-3AM just to complete experiments. There were also some weeks where I even doubled the amount of hours that I was supposed to put it in. It was only toward the end were it just became difficult for me to manage.

 

[Ariadne]

True, but it isn't like I completely neglected my job. I still worked my but off in lab. There were numerous times where I came in at 2-3AM just to complete experiments. There were also some weeks where I even doubled the amount of hours that I was supposed to put it in. It was only toward the end were it just became difficult for me to manage.

That's just the nature/normal for research work. I've been in the lab past 11 PM for the last three nights and will be again today, which is pretty much a typical weekend for me.

Now you know for the future to (1) pick an opportunity with a less demanding time commitment, or (2) if you can't continue to meet a commitment to get out ahead of time (with the LOR in hand) while you're still in good standing.

Extra work in the past will never compensate for deficiencies in the present.

 

[Ariadne]

Double post...

 

[jhamaican]

You're seriously considering asking for a LOR from a prof that fired you for lack of attendance? How do you think that letter is going to go?

deserves to be said x2

 

[cpants]

Perhaps, but I still think pretending you are, and have always been, perfect in all ways is not a good strategy, although I seem to be in the minority on this one.

I agree, no one expects you to be perfect, but there are better and worse areas in which to be imperfect. I would say disagreeing with a superior about time commitment, failing attendance, being asked to leave a research position--these all look pretty bad for medical school admissions. Leaving a sports team due to time restraints, withdrawing from a class and retaking it, even getting busted for underage drinking--these would all be less of a strike against you in the admissions process. No one expects you to be superheroes, but you can't have a serious problem like this in a medical activity and expect it to be unnoticed or chalked up to imperfection.