PI involved in interview

[Tim Armstrong]

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I recently had an interview at my instate school.
I've been doing research at this medical school for a year and a half and my PI (he wrote me a LOR) that I have been working under was involved in my interview.
Would him being involved help my chances in any way at this school? I mean since he wrote me a LOR would they value this letter over others because they know him?
Just curious

 

[typicalindian]

I mean he is only 1 person out of the committee but I think as long as you showed good qualities and were always professional while working with him I'm sure he'll put in some good words for you

 

[ppfizenm]

Sounds like a conflict of interest. You should do the responsible thing and withdraw your application from consideration so that your PI won't have to resign from the committee.


Seriously though. Rejoice. You probably will get in; if not based on the merits of your application, then on his recommendation of you.

 

[LifeTake2]

Honestly based upon this thread I have a VERY poor opinion of your PI.

They should have recused themselves from your application process, and never touched your application or interview.

That said, you are likely a lock at this point.

 

[centrigeugle]

Other premeds jealous = win for you.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Don't listen to the negative comments. Withdraw his application..really? That is really pathetic to suggest such advice.

It definitely helps you out. I have the same exact situation at another school😉. They won't have to resign or anything from the committee. If you worked really hard and have a good personality and the PI tells the committee this, then that is great! Of course it gives you an advantage, but you have every right to apply to that institution. Considering you work there, you already have a connection to the school and insight to their programs more so than other people.

 

[Tim Armstrong]

Other premeds jealous = win for you.

👍

 

[kami333]

Is he on the adcom? Or was he just an interviewer?

As long as both of you were up front that you were in his lab (or didn't try to hide it) I don't see the problem, this is why admissions decisions are made by committees, so that one person can't unduly influence the process (at least in theory). 2 of my previous PIs were adcom members, but as they put it they were only one vote and that while they would support me as much as they could, it would be up to me (and my application) to make the cut. It also depends on how much of a limb they are willing to go out for you, while you might have been good in their lab, were you so spectacular that they would stake their professional reputation on you?

 

[235788]

super jealy.

 

[LifeTake2]

Other premeds jealous = win for you.

Confused.....the two posters above you that called this a conflict of interest (myself being one of them) both have acceptances.

Sorry, not the least bit jealous of his interview chances since I've cleared that hurdle. Just saying.

 

[jokerman55]

I recently had an interview at my instate school.
I've been doing research at this medical school for a year and a half and my PI (he wrote me a LOR) that I have been working under was involved in my interview.
Would him being involved help my chances in any way at this school? I mean since he wrote me a LOR would they value this letter over others because they know him?
Just curious

Bit unclear .. When you say "involved in my interview" .. does this mean he was one of the faculty interviewing you? That is quite unusual IMO.

 

[Tim Armstrong]

Yes, he was one out of ten people that gave me a score for my interview. I'm not asking if his interview score of me will help, because I know it won't. I told the dean that it was a conflict of interest and he said that his score would not be counted for my overall interview score. And I'm sure my PI told them as well, that it was a conflict of interest.
I am just asking if his LOR will help me more because of his involvement in the school.

 

[235788]

Yes, he was one out of ten people that gave me a score for my interview. I'm not asking if his interview score of me will help, because I know it won't. I told the dean that it was a conflict of interest and he said that his score would not be counted for my overall interview score. And I'm sure my PI told them as well, that it was a conflict of interest.
I am just asking if his LOR will help me more because of his involvement in the school.

that stinks! He could have been your saving grace.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Yes, get the LOR. It will help.

 

[Tim Armstrong]

that stinks! He could have been your saving grace.

yeah it does kinda stink. But he was just one score out of ten, so I don't think it would have given me THAT much of an edge.

 

[centrigeugle]

yeah it does kinda stink. But he was just one score out of ten, so I don't think it would have given me THAT much of an edge.

OTOH, if the Dean gets a vote, having the cajones to point out that conflict of interest might get you some respect points.