Knowing a PI gives edge into SURF acceptance?

[SonhosDaVida]

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I have spoken with a PI that is accepting Amgen students into her lab. I have read her publications and spoke to her personally about joining her lab as an Amgen scholar. Will this help me get accepted into the Amgen program if she speaks with the committee and tells them that she wants me to work with her this summer?

Also, for NIH Amgen, should I emailed professors and PI's ahead of time in order to familiarize myself with them and possibly have an early acceptance because I was accepted into their lab? Thanks

 

[wb100]

I'm doubt it would actually help your application, but have you thought about coordinating research outside of the program? You could cold email professors at universities and ask them if you can do research with them over the summer (obviously being very specific about why and show that you've read their papers and interested in the field). Only thing is the lab most likely wouldn't sponsor you, so you would have to come up with funds for housing and living expenses if the city is far from you. However, you can contact your undergraduate school and they might be able to give you funds to do research at an outside institution (given you're a current student).

Contacting the PI's for the AMGEN program would probably just rub them the wrong way since it shows you're trying to cheat their system. If you're a good fit for the program you'll get in. If not, cold email several PI's and ask to do research with them over the summer and you (or your school if they do it) cover the financial part of it.

 

[SonhosDaVida]

So it was not a good idea to talk with the Amgen PI? I see her everything since we work in the same building. I just wanted to profess my interest in her research and the Amgen research program...

 

[JustAPhD]

So it was not a good idea to talk with the Amgen PI? I see her everything since we work in the same building. I just wanted to profess my interest in her research and the Amgen research program...

No you're fine. Regarding how much it'll help, it ranges from a lot to not at all. Admittedly I don't have knowledge of the inner workings of Amgen acceptances but (in general) having a PI vouch for you and want you in their lab can make a ton of difference depending on how well the PI knows the adcom.