LOR from big-name PI or post-doc?

[dr.lilee]

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should I ask the big-name PI (who doesn't know me very well) for a LOR or the post-doc who I talked to every day? I figured that the PI would discuss it w/ the post-doc anyway, so I should just ask him. I need to figure this out ASAP so I'd appreciate any help!😕

 

[osar92]

i had this same issue

i just had the post doc write it and then got both of them to sign it

good luck

 

[Cydney Foote]

I always recommend going with the person who knows you the best and can give specific reasons why you would be a good candidate for medical school. Even in a contest between the president of the USA and your lab TA you're better off with the TA.

If you can get the PI to co-sign then it's even better. They'll know the post-doc wrote it but it's a sign of trust if the PI is also involved.

Good luck!

 

[Chode]

A letter from your post doc is kind of like a letter from your 4th grade girlfriend saying what a great kisser you are. get real


a letter from the PI, even if totally fake is what you want. LOR's are fake and barely read, unless the person reading the letter personally knows the writer, in which case, if you are worth a crap, that person would have already placed a phone call on your behalf



Repeat :

letters from the guy that cuts your lawn, other students, your Mom, your mailman, residents, fellows, your best friend, and Post Docs are
worthless

one other thing :

DO NOT get a LOR from somebody that does not give good LOR's.

People on ad coms read dozens of LOR's You are nothing special to them, just a number. They couldn't care less about you or your LOR.
BUT a letter that is poorly written, has red flags in it ( real or unde cover) or flat out does not recommend you will place your application into the crapper.

LOR's can hurt more than they can help.
Between you me and a hole in the wall, i functioned for a year on a specific ad com, and at the weekly meeting for a year reviewing applications, I learned a thing or two about this topic. Saw a lot of BAD applications. Some of you are down right pathetic!

your post doc can write the letter for the PI and have the PI sign it. whatever, just get the big cheese to do your letter. Hell, you can write it for the post doc.

Make yourself out to be some kind of hero.
Lie through your teeth. It will prepare you for a career in medicine, more than you will ever know.

and God forbid whatever you do, don't have some TA do your letter. They usually have Napolean complexes and go out of their way to feel self important and practically beg to write your letter.

Tell them you want a letter from somebody that doesn't have the word assistant in their title cuz if I'm reading your file and I see the letter from some TA, I'm going to go excuse myself and heave a Havana and use their letter for TP

 

[zinjanthropus]

as a teaching assistant i have written numerous letters of recs for successful applicants. If it is a student who I particuarly support, I usually have the main professor also sign below my name. I think this works well, since med schools recognize that grad students and post-docs probably know you better then faculty members.

just make sure all your letters aren't from non-tenured faculty and you should be fine....like most other people said - it is the ability to evaluate your potential that is important.

 

[Megalofyia]

Can't anyone get a letter of recomendation from their senetor or house representative?

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

while we are on the topic..


should i get a LOR from a director of a program at the med school to be sent to the same med school..or is that as cheesy as i feel it may be?

also what kind of LOR do pre med commitees like?

 

[drakkan2001]

what's a PI?

 

[blackbird03]

I had the same dilemma. But, in the end, I asked both of them. Also, try to see if the post doc will let you draft your own letter and s/he will be able to review it on his own accord.

For LORs, I say as long as they are mildly positive, add them to your file. I know some med schools that won't throw away letters even when you send 5 or more.

 

[zinjanthropus]

drakkan-
PI is the principal investigator....it's the person who runs a lab or is in charge of some project....it's the person who brought in some big grant, etc.