LOR questions

[phonyreal98]

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During my freshman year, I worked with a grad student on her dissertation project. I've asked her to write me a letter of recommendation and she's agreed to it. I know that the usual advice on here is to have the grad student write the recommendation, then have the grad student and PI of the group co-sign the LOR. However, I've never even met the PI (heck, I don't even know the PI's name!). Would it seem awkward (from the grad student's perspective) for me to ask for the PI to co-sign the LOR, or does this sort of thing happen all the time?

Also, one of my gen chem professors from last year has agreed to write me a LOR. Over the course of the past semester, I've realized how much his teaching style has helped me to do well in the first semester of organic chemistry...would it seem toolish to e-mail him to let him know how much the way he taught gen chem helped me to do well in orgo?

Thirdly, for my non-science LOR, would it be ok if I got my trombone instructor to write it, or would it be better off as a supplemental recommendation? I get 1-2 hours of credit each semester for taking private lessons and studio class with him, and his official title from my school is "Lecturer." I feel like this could be a strong recommendation because this is the only class that I have had in college where a significant portion of the course is taught in a one-on-one setting.

 

[phonyreal98]

Bump

 

[OddNath]

Hi there

Ok, first off, do NOT get a letter from a current graduate student. I don't care if it's co-signed by the PI. If you didn't have a strong enough relationship for the PI to write the letter himself, then don't bother getting a letter from this lab. You will have opportunities in your essays to write about your research experience and how much you learned. And I understand that the grad student was the one who actually saw you work and would genuinely like to write you a good letter. But trust me on this. I've done admissions for the past year..you don't want a letter from a grad student.

And for the gen chem prof-- it would probably be best to go ahead and set up an informal meeting in preparation for your letter (this is standard). During this meeting, you'll give him a copy of your CV (and possibly personal statement), go through it with him and see if he has questions (about your level of involvement in anything), and then that would be a great time to let him know what you got out of his class and how it has helped you in more advanced coursework.

Trombone professor-- I guess this is ok. As long as he can vouch for your work ethic, professionalism, good personality, well-roundedness as a musician, etc, that should be fine.

Best of luck!!

 

[phonyreal98]

Really? I thought it was even more of a red flag not to have a letter of recommendation of any sort from a lab that you worked in.

 

[OddNath]

Really? I thought it was even more of a red flag not to have a letter of recommendation of any sort from a lab that you worked in.

This was a semester of research during your freshman year, right? And, from a brief glance at your MDapplicants page, it seems like you've been doing more research since then. So, if you have a closer relationship with your current PI (in the MRI lab), get him/her to write a letter. Especially if you're applying MD-only (instead of MD/PhD), you don't need a letter from every single lab you've ever worked in.

Basically, one semester of research during freshman year is a pretty small thing compared to everything else you're accomplishing. You could easily fill 4 letters with your current PI, a science prof, a non-science prof, and a clinician you've been shadowing/volunteering with. No need to dig back and get some grad student to write you a letter.