Name dropping in PS

[KeyLime]

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I am behind most of you and have yet to submit my application. I am taking a couple summer classes that will be done on Aug 3, so I hope to submit around Aug. 7
I have been working at a psychiatry research technician full-time for the last three years. The PI that I work under is pretty famous in his field. I haven't included his name in my personal statement so far when mentioning my research experience because I feel like that might be tacky. What do you all think? Should I name-drop, or not?

 

[Amy B]

My personal opinion on this case.. is that it would be ok to include it. I would say it wouldnt be ok if you were simply dropping the name of a politician as "look at me, I know senator so and so", or My family is friends with Congressman so and so and he thinks i should go to med school.,"

To me it is different if it is a researcher. So I would say go ahead. I would hope he wrote one of your reccomendation letters 🙂
Good luck.. and get that application out as soon as you can.

 

[Soccer885]

I also believe it is okay because you are doing research with him. I am also doing research and in my personal statement I said something along the lines of "I do such and such research under the supervision of Dr. So and So." Obviously worded better but you get the point. I wasn't trying to name drop and the guy I do research under isn't anywhere close to famous, although he is associated with the med school I want to go to and is on their committee!

 

[dr.z]

I think it's o.k. to include the name.