multiple PI LORS for MD PhD?

[pioneer22]

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Hi all,

If you are a senior in a lab for like 3 years, after doing a brief stint freshman year in a separate lab and want to apply for MD PhD, do you still have to submit the LOR from the PI from freshman year?
Won't it be a poor LOR since its been 3+ years since working with him for only a few months? Can you skip sending this LOR from the freshman year PI?

Thanks

 

[Microbug]

I didn’t and no questions asked but so had 3 other PI letters that were more recent. This could be a problem if you only have 2 letters including that lab. It’s a tricky issue.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

WHy would it be a bad letter? Sounds more likely that it would be a generic letter which would have little impact either way beyond having the letter.

 

[plasticdiscoball]

I think it's fine. I didn't submit a LOR from a summer research internship in my junior year, and was never asked about it. I did have 2 other strong research letters.

 

[pioneer22]

WHy would it be a bad letter? Sounds more likely that it would be a generic letter which would have little impact either way beyond having the letter.

generic is considered bad, no? LORs are supposed to help you stand out, so if its a run-of-the-mill LOR then it won't help you application?

 

[Microbug]

generic is considered bad, no? LORs are supposed to help you stand out, so if its a run-of-the-mill LOR then it won't help you application?

A normal run-of-the-mill LOR is fine for MD/PhD CONSIDERING THAT IT IS FRESHMEN YEAR. As long as you have other good letters it's fine. Not having the letter is a bigger red flag than a having a normal letter. Some schools require you to submit letter from all PIs you've worked with.