Is a PI LOR required?

[ariax]

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http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/how-to-approach-pi-after-i-was-a-complete-coward.1172672/

^see above thread for background info...

So as you can see I am incredibly hesitant to get a research LOR. I mean I do have one more semester to fix things (I apply in June) and I truly would like to fix things. I would ask for a strong letter of recommendation given I've shown more committed effort in the next few months...If she agrees I will use it. But I can't help but think she will include some "faint praise."

Is it really sketchy to have research with no PI LOR? I mean I guess I could just not list my research experience at all... but I am not a super amazing candidate to begin with anyway :/

 

[ndafife]

You basically phased yourself out of the lab (only going in 1-2 times a month) and were not good in the lab (you admit to messing up often). Let alone taking 3 weeks to respond to them after they requested to speak to you.

You're not getting a good LOR out of this one

 

[sovereign0]

If you're applying MD/PhD, it's required.

If you're going MD-only, and you have meaningful and/or longitudinal research experience, it can be a powerful letter. I could see someone asking why you didn't have a PI LOR if you'd been in the lab for 2 years with a publication or two.

From reading your other post, it doesn't sound like you've had any meaningful or longitudinal experience there, and you haven't done anything in the way of cultivating a relationship with your PI. So I wouldn't bother asking for one.

 

[Faii]

I'm of the mind that schools will 1) see that you're listed on a published paper, and (if you list it on amcas) 2) see that you were in a lab for 1.5 years.
That's a long time, and a PI is *normally* working with you on a much more personal basis than say a professor. For many applicants with research, a PI knows *you* far better than any professor or other LOR writer.
You are not "dead in the water" without their rec letter, but I would definitely have an answer to why you don't have it. Also given your situation I would certainly not ask for a letter from your PI at this point. A bad LOR certainly will leave you dead in the water.

Edit: If you really want to stay in the lab, which it doesn't seem like anyone on these forums is recommending (but hey we're internet strangers and you know yourself and your PI better than we do), here would be my thoughts:
1) Is your PI a forgiving person? Some people will hold this rough patch against you, and some will forgive and forget if you drastically improve.
2) Also I'm not sure that, after being a ghost for a semester, that it is a good idea to ask "If i actually show up and do work will you write me a good rec?" How could anyone in her position could really answer that truthfully? In my opinion, it comes across as a bit shallow (not sure if that's the best word but it gives off a bad vibe to me).
3) How sure are you that you will actually be able to devote time? What happens if you suddenly can't and now she's wasted two semesters on you? Again, idk your schedule or work load.
4) If you do stay in the lab, you'll need to be a changed man/woman and really focus on drastically increasing not only your time in the lab but also your throughput. You mention that you mess up experiments often and your PI is concerned you were not trained properly. This is a huge issue, fix it.