No LOR from research PI?

[Friheten]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Long story short: I had a great experience in my first wet lab (coauthor on pending manuscript, posters, got a LOR) but not so great experience in a second wet lab after my first mentor relocated for a job opportunity. On AMCAS, I grouped my second lab experience with a new research position I am starting this summer with MDs conducting public health research (I decided I liked this work more than basic science; think MD/MPH > MD/PhD). The description describes how involvement in both specified my career/research interests.

I am curious how research heavy schools will view this as my app is tailored toward these schools (I have other dual leadership/research positions, but this post focuses on my lab experience mainly). For example, I know Harvard asks for letters from all research supervisors, but I did not ask for a LOR from my second lab as I suspected it would be lukewarm considering I left after a year because I became disinterested in the field. Advice? Would appreciate input from adcoms/students in similar situations regarding how to frame this on AMCAS/secondaries/during interviews.

 

[Chimichica]

What is PI?

 

[Detailfanatic]

I had one semester of basic developmental neuroscience research that I took for credit. I was in the lab more than anyone and was productive but mi think it wasn’t a good personality fit. When I went to talk to him about coming back the next semester (before I knew there were any issues) there was a big argument at the end with screaming and all. I quit the lab at that moment and obviously didn’t come back. I also took an upper division bio course with him that semester and got an A in both the research and bio class. I clearly never asked for a letter from him. on my application I just stated what I did during that semester and said I realized bench research wasn’t for me and that I wasn’t passionate about it. I later got a job doing clinical research the summer after (which I continued the rest of undergrad and was then hired as full time staff for my gap year) and I said clinical research was more for me. All my interviewers liked that I was honest about me realizing basic science wasn’t for me. I got into several schools so I don’t think it’ll be a big issue for you. Just be honest

 

[907914]

Long story short: I had a great experience in my first wet lab (coauthor on pending manuscript, posters, got a LOR) but not so great experience in a second wet lab after my first mentor relocated for a job opportunity. On AMCAS, I grouped my second lab experience with a new research position I am starting this summer with MDs conducting public health research (I decided I liked this work more than basic science; think MD/MPH > MD/PhD). The description describes how involvement in both specified my career/research interests.

I am curious how research heavy schools will view this as my app is tailored toward these schools (I have other dual leadership/research positions, but this post focuses on my lab experience mainly). For example, I know Harvard asks for letters from all research supervisors, but I did not ask for a LOR from my second lab as I suspected it would be lukewarm considering I left after a year because I became disinterested in the field. Advice? Would appreciate input from adcoms/students in similar situations in terms of how to frame this on AMCAS/secondaries/during interviews.

I believe Harvard is the only one (at least out of my list) that asks for an LOR from each PI, however it is 'recommended' as opposed to required. I also have a PI that I will not be getting a letter from. My justification is the same, I left because I was disinterested. If asked why not my explanation will be something along the lines of "Due to the nature of protein simulations research, the majority of my activities took place in a self-directed programming environment and thus I did not feel the PI could adequately or sufficiently assess my research prowess." I will not be addressing it on AMCAS, only if a particular school asks.

 

[MEDHEAD2024]

I am in this exact predicament. Do you have any one else in the lab that can write you a strong letter?

 

[Dream of the Endless]

"Due to the nature of protein simulations research, the majority of my activities took place in a self-directed programming environment and thus I did not feel the PI could adequately or sufficiently assess my research prowess."

Wouldn't this be what they were looking for though? From my understanding, a significant portion of Medical school is just that... Self directed. I'm assuming the letter's purpose would be to speak to your work ethic, initiative, and (depending on your work) intuition and creativity? Or am I too left field here? I'm interested because I have a letter from my PI, but there was hardly any interaction besides the occasional update. I don't know why Harvard would want this, knowing that this is probably common place, but I still complied.

 

[Skeletorr]

Wouldn't this be what they were looking for though? From my understanding, a significant portion of Medical school is just that... Self directed. I'm assuming the letter's purpose would be to speak to your work ethic, initiative, and (depending on your work) intuition and creativity? Or am I too left field here? I'm interested because I have a letter from my PI, but there was hardly any interaction besides the occasional update. I don't know why Harvard would want this, knowing that this is probably common place, but I still complied.

My guess is that it weeds out some applicants

 

[907914]

My guess is that it weeds out some applicants

How do you mean?

Do you think they wouldn’t consider someone who doesn’t send them?

 

[907914]

Wouldn't this be what they were looking for though? From my understanding, a significant portion of Medical school is just that... Self directed. I'm assuming the letter's purpose would be to speak to your work ethic, initiative, and (depending on your work) intuition and creativity? Or am I too left field here? I'm interested because I have a letter from my PI, but there was hardly any interaction besides the occasional update. I don't know why Harvard would want this, knowing that this is probably common place, but I still complied.

Maybe I will just strategically title it “Research Assistant” as all I did was Linux Programing and data entry.

 

[907914]

Wouldn't this be what they were looking for though? From my understanding, a significant portion of Medical school is just that... Self directed. I'm assuming the letter's purpose would be to speak to your work ethic, initiative, and (depending on your work) intuition and creativity? Or am I too left field here? I'm interested because I have a letter from my PI, but there was hardly any interaction besides the occasional update. I don't know why Harvard would want this, knowing that this is probably common place, but I still complied.

Although I feel as though not having a genuine interest in the field/insufficient involvement with the PI would be a justifiable reason? Would it not be?

 

[deleted972488]

Y’all are overthinking it. Adcoms likely won’t notice and/or care.

 

[deleted972488]

Don’t get a lukewarm letter. You don’t need a letter from every PI you’ve ever worked with... if that were the case I’d need 5+ letters from PIs.