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Hi all,
I'm an MSTP hopeful, planning to apply next cycle. I'll post some more about myself later. Right now, I need a little advice.
I recently graduated college, completing a two and a half year project with a wonderful undergraduate professor. (This is my only long-term research experience thus far.) The results were statistically significant, and in a couple months my PI was expecting to begin writing up our research for publication. But he just had two strokes. The effects seem to be primarily motor and sensory with little-to-no cognitive impairment. Thankfully, he's making steady progress in his recovery, but I don't wish to trouble him any time soon.
In a month or so, I will be applying for research positions. I don't know what to do. I shouldn't ask my PI to write a LOR for me now – he has enough to worry about. I could ask some of my other professors to write a letter instead. One of them has a very basic understanding of the project. I've kept her updated on my progress over the course of the last couple years, and she has seen me present on the preliminary results. But she hasn't worked with me personally on the project; she can only evaluate my classwork from the six courses I've taken with her (3 of which were lab classes). If she does write me something, should I ask her to verify the circumstances? Presumably, most labs would be suspicious of why I am not submitting a LOR from my PI. I've also worked as an ED scribe for 2 years (~1200 hours), and I'm sure the doctors would write some lovely LORs attesting to my character and work ethic. I don't know how much that will help me for obtaining research jobs, though.
I may experience a similar dilemma next year applying to MSTP programs. I don't know what will happen with the article. My PI always does all the writing. But those issues aren't pressing. I can deal with them later, once the extent of his recovery is determined.
Thanks for your advice in this matter. I feel disgusted with myself even asking all this. I've known my PI for 4 years, and I consider him to be like family. That my mind jumps to this sickens me.
Mods – I apologize if I posted this under the wrong subforum. I was not sure where to post, as the dilemma has implications for both my job applications and my MD/PhD applications. Please move this as you see fit.
I'm an MSTP hopeful, planning to apply next cycle. I'll post some more about myself later. Right now, I need a little advice.
I recently graduated college, completing a two and a half year project with a wonderful undergraduate professor. (This is my only long-term research experience thus far.) The results were statistically significant, and in a couple months my PI was expecting to begin writing up our research for publication. But he just had two strokes. The effects seem to be primarily motor and sensory with little-to-no cognitive impairment. Thankfully, he's making steady progress in his recovery, but I don't wish to trouble him any time soon.
In a month or so, I will be applying for research positions. I don't know what to do. I shouldn't ask my PI to write a LOR for me now – he has enough to worry about. I could ask some of my other professors to write a letter instead. One of them has a very basic understanding of the project. I've kept her updated on my progress over the course of the last couple years, and she has seen me present on the preliminary results. But she hasn't worked with me personally on the project; she can only evaluate my classwork from the six courses I've taken with her (3 of which were lab classes). If she does write me something, should I ask her to verify the circumstances? Presumably, most labs would be suspicious of why I am not submitting a LOR from my PI. I've also worked as an ED scribe for 2 years (~1200 hours), and I'm sure the doctors would write some lovely LORs attesting to my character and work ethic. I don't know how much that will help me for obtaining research jobs, though.
I may experience a similar dilemma next year applying to MSTP programs. I don't know what will happen with the article. My PI always does all the writing. But those issues aren't pressing. I can deal with them later, once the extent of his recovery is determined.
Thanks for your advice in this matter. I feel disgusted with myself even asking all this. I've known my PI for 4 years, and I consider him to be like family. That my mind jumps to this sickens me.
Mods – I apologize if I posted this under the wrong subforum. I was not sure where to post, as the dilemma has implications for both my job applications and my MD/PhD applications. Please move this as you see fit.
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