Do we have to list and obtain a LoR all the PIs that we worked with?

[Moss11]

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Hello,

This is a LoR question. I was wondering if we must list and get LoR from every professor that we worked before applying. I worked with three different PIs. Two of them were research oriented and one of the three was a researcher in the humanities. Right now, I am wondering if we must list all of them. I already spoke and can get great/excellent letters from the first and the third PI well beyond normal LoR for students.

The problem is that the second PI has indicated that the person is not interested in writing a good LoR and I am not welcomed. A letter from the second person will most likely greatly reduce my chances. I have a research publication from a prestigious journal and I am working with my current (third) PI in the humanities that can possibly result in a published work by the time that I apply.

I am worried about the second PI and my chances. Grades and MCAT will be in the ballpark of accepted students when I apply, but I spent over a year working for the second PI. I am worried the second PI will sink my chances and not sure how to manage this problem. While working with the second PI, I worked with some of the same investigators in the department and one of them told me that I don't have to hesitate to get a letter from them, but the problem is that I didn't mainly work with them.

I don't know if the right decision is to do a year (my senior year) of research with one of my upper level science professors that I did well in his class and just get the letter from the first PI, the humanities PI, and the upper level science professor? I can also list that I worked with multiple investigators for the year, but not get a letter from any of them. This way, I can migrate potential problems and conflicts. I will have at least two letters if not three when I apply. I was wondering if I can reduce the visibility of that year.
Thank you.

Helpful thoughts are welcomed.

 

[AlteredScale]

Hello,

This is a LoR question. I was wondering if we must list and get LoR from every professor that we worked before applying. I worked with three different PIs. Two of them were research oriented and one of the three was a researcher in the humanities. Right now, I am wondering if we must list all of them. I already spoke and can get great/excellent letters from the first and the third PI well beyond normal LoR for students.

The problem is that the second PI has indicated that the person is not interested in writing a good LoR and I am not welcomed. A letter from the second person will most likely greatly reduce my chances. I have a research publication from a prestigious journal and I am working with my current (third) PI in the humanities that can possibly result in a published work by the time that I apply.

I am worried about the second PI and my chances. Grades and MCAT will be in the ballpark of accepted students when I apply, but I spent over a year working for the second PI. I am worried the second PI will sink my chances and not sure how to manage this problem. While working with the second PI, I worked with some of the same investigators in the department and one of them told me that I don't have to hesitate to get a letter from them, but the problem is that I didn't mainly work with them.

I don't know if the right decision is to do a year (my senior year) of research with one of my upper level science professors that I did well in his class and just get the letter from the first PI, the humanities PI, and the upper level science professor? I can also list that I worked with multiple investigators for the year, but not get a letter from any of them. This way, I can migrate potential problems and conflicts. I will have at least two letters if not three when I apply. I was wondering if I can reduce the visibility of that year.
Thank you.

Helpful thoughts are welcomed.

Yeah don't get the LOR from the second one. If he/she already stated they can't write a strong one then run for the hills.

I did a year long honors thesis research in IBD and didn't really have a great relationship with him from the get go so I didn't ask for an LoR. Better not to screw up your chances. It's not required to even get LORs from PIs unless you are interested in going to a research-focused school.

You are only required to have 2 LORs from faculty who have taught you actual courses and 1 LOR from a non science faculty who have also taught you in a formal course.


IMO the science PI letter is useful for research schools. Perhaps the humanities PI will be good if you are interested in social medicine programs or global health type issues. But you need the science and non science faculty ones for MD schools. Along with a physician LOR for DO schools.

 

[Temerit]

There are certain select research-oriented schools (like HMS) that do require LORs from every primary investigator you've worked with, which might be what the OP is referring to. I'm honestly not sure of the answer for the OP since on the school's website it sounds like a recommendation is mandatory.

 

[theseeker4]

Hello,

This is a LoR question. I was wondering if we must list and get LoR from every professor that we worked before applying. I worked with three different PIs. Two of them were research oriented and one of the three was a researcher in the humanities. Right now, I am wondering if we must list all of them. I already spoke and can get great/excellent letters from the first and the third PI well beyond normal LoR for students.

The problem is that the second PI has indicated that the person is not interested in writing a good LoR and I am not welcomed. A letter from the second person will most likely greatly reduce my chances. I have a research publication from a prestigious journal and I am working with my current (third) PI in the humanities that can possibly result in a published work by the time that I apply.

I am worried about the second PI and my chances. Grades and MCAT will be in the ballpark of accepted students when I apply, but I spent over a year working for the second PI. I am worried the second PI will sink my chances and not sure how to manage this problem. While working with the second PI, I worked with some of the same investigators in the department and one of them told me that I don't have to hesitate to get a letter from them, but the problem is that I didn't mainly work with them.

I don't know if the right decision is to do a year (my senior year) of research with one of my upper level science professors that I did well in his class and just get the letter from the first PI, the humanities PI, and the upper level science professor? I can also list that I worked with multiple investigators for the year, but not get a letter from any of them. This way, I can migrate potential problems and conflicts. I will have at least two letters if not three when I apply. I was wondering if I can reduce the visibility of that year.
Thank you.

Helpful thoughts are welcomed.

If you didn't want to, you could simply not use LOR's from ANY of your PIs. It might raise some eyebrows from research-oriented schools, but there is no requirement to have any PI LORs, let alone a LOR from each. Never use a LOR from anyone unless you are confident it will be positive, as missing something that is expected is better than having a big red flag. Simply list your activities, and use only strong LORs.

 

[Moss11]

Thank you.