Hi Everyone,
I thought this was a polite and respectful thread and was going somewhere with some thoughtful responses and input.
Here is my opinion based on similar experiences, particularly with PI's.
There do seem to be some inconsistencies in the story, but that is okay. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind.
This post is kinda long, just because I want it to be crystal clear.
Let's start.
Morph said:
1) she said in her cover letter that she might apply this round if she got decent MCAT scores
2) she not only dislikes the people in her lab (especially her professor), but she doesn't like being forced to stay overtime every day and coming in on the weekends as well?
3) she really wants to go into medical school ASAP (i.e. 2007).
So in terms of breaking her commitment to work two years,
1) she raised the possibility in her cover letter.
2) About your two year commitment, I would be very weary telling a PI you plan to work for him two years. That just is not done. Now, if she has received a really formal, stipend, government or competitive award for the position, that is different. I think people start jobs that plan to work long-term (years-life), or perhaps short-term. But stating to a PI as a recent college grad that you plan to work two years, no more, no less, can be a problem.
3) If she really wants to go to medical school now, here is my advice:
Go To Medical School Now -
Do not defer.
That being the case, one important take-home message I'd give her is this:
Based on the way this PI acted, I'm gonna be straight up with you: That is NOT a good sign. This person clearly has issues with her (or perhaps Premeds), which likely began before this deferment was mentioned.
Do NOT ask this PI for a letter. One slight offensive remark about you hidden in a 'decent' to good letter will be well interpreted. I am familiar with some of these 'very famous' PI's.
It sounds like clearly life circumstances have changed for her
1) her work situation has become unpleasant, and boss has become a bit hostile towards her
2) she wants to go to medical school ASAP.
Therefore, I again recommend she apply now, and enroll in 2007.
Lastly, there have been several comments about deferring for the sake of strengthening your application. As someone who has gone through the process, I'd like to point out there seems to be a myth out there that simply taking a year off strengthens the application. I do not believe this is true.
Although it probably depends on the school, in this year off, there is nothing guaranteed that will happen for you (sorry, it sounds like this PI will not give her a publication, especially if he has lots of PhD students, and most especially after his comments, which unfortunately, speak volumes about his opinion of her. Taking a year off to do travel/volunteer/teach is a bit different than working in a lab. So lets be fair about that. And from several of her comments, and those of other posters, it does seem one of the benefits of the year off would be a letter from this PI, which as I've already stated, would likely not be good.
I would tell her to apply for 2007.
Good Luck!