I did research for one semester at my home institution but wasn't any good at it, and found it to be so incredibly dull and time-consuming. This lasted for about 8 months, and I quit to prioritize my academics. I am a Senior now, and the chances that I will get research experience for the summer is practically null as I am in a public university. I cannot count on getting a letter of recommendation as my PI was quite angry that I left (he doesn't acknowledge me when we see each other). Should I bother mentioning that I have this experience? Will it be worse if I don't have a letter of recommendation?
Is it worth mentioning short-lived research experience?
- Thread starter swim97
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You will have to list a reference for that experience. Now I don't know how diligent ADCOMS are about calling references for listed experiences and it may differ by school/person, but there is always a chance. IMO I would not mention it especially since you burned some bridges. You get the choice of deciding which experiences to place on your app. It also wouldn't hurt to reach out to the PI and straight up ask them if they would be willing to be used as a strong reference in support of your application. Most people are pretty direct and won't lie to you if they will or won't.
We once had an RA that I trained and then she found out she could graduate early. She dedicated 1 year to us and left after 4 months on short notice (1 week). On the exit interview we also found out she had not been doing her job and didn't tell anyone (she wasn't contacting referred participants because she had anxiety about screening and talking on the phone). After graduation she tried to get a job at another lab and listed on her resume she worked in our lab. Long story short the PI's knew each other and our PI ripped her.
We once had an RA that I trained and then she found out she could graduate early. She dedicated 1 year to us and left after 4 months on short notice (1 week). On the exit interview we also found out she had not been doing her job and didn't tell anyone (she wasn't contacting referred participants because she had anxiety about screening and talking on the phone). After graduation she tried to get a job at another lab and listed on her resume she worked in our lab. Long story short the PI's knew each other and our PI ripped her.
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And that is a perfect example of what can happen. An applicant uses a person as a reference, someone on the other end says “ I know him. Let me call and see how he is and ask about this person.” And boom. It’s over before it starts.
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You are under no obligation to list this among your work/activities (experiences, ECs). No one will expect a letter from a PI if you haven't listed the research on your application.
If you aren't shooting for top 20 research schools, it is unlikely anyone will care about the lack of research on your application.
If you aren't shooting for top 20 research schools, it is unlikely anyone will care about the lack of research on your application.
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You obliged to provide a Contact, not a reference, for the AMCAS application. A Contact need only confirm your dates and hours of involvement. You don't need to use the PI. A lab manager or secretary, the grad student you worked with, or the pay office (if you were an employee) are other options.
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Not if you didn't accomplish anything there and have better things to use those 15? slots on
