This is a weird situation for me. I previously volunteered for 1.5 years (1200 hours) in a basic research lab where I had independent projects and a poster presentation. I loved the work but the environment and PI were toxic, and based on information from other people in the lab, and this PI's letter-writing history, it seemed like a bad idea to ask them for a letter of rec. I cut my losses and moved on.
Now I am working as a paid lab tech in another lab. This lab environment is wonderful, and the PI has already offered twice to write me a letter of rec since she knows I'm going through the application process. I'm sure it will be a good letter if she does write it. However, at this point I have only worked for 2 months in the lab, and as a technician don't have any independent projects. If I am eventually attached to a paper it won't be for a long time.
Would it look suspicious to have a letter from a PI who's only known me for a short while, when my most meaningful lab experience lacks a letter? Is it good to have a PI letter no matter the context?
And finally, I would like to include my first lab experience in my "most meaningful 3" for AMCAS, is this a bad idea since I don't have a letter from that PI?
Thanks for your help!
Now I am working as a paid lab tech in another lab. This lab environment is wonderful, and the PI has already offered twice to write me a letter of rec since she knows I'm going through the application process. I'm sure it will be a good letter if she does write it. However, at this point I have only worked for 2 months in the lab, and as a technician don't have any independent projects. If I am eventually attached to a paper it won't be for a long time.
Would it look suspicious to have a letter from a PI who's only known me for a short while, when my most meaningful lab experience lacks a letter? Is it good to have a PI letter no matter the context?
And finally, I would like to include my first lab experience in my "most meaningful 3" for AMCAS, is this a bad idea since I don't have a letter from that PI?
Thanks for your help!