PI threatening to retract LOR?

[jmanswers0]

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So my PI is threatening to retract my LOR. Basically he doesn't like it that I have other obligations during the summer like work and volunteering and is telling me that I am not dedicated enough to lab. He said he is giving me one last chance or he will retract his LOR? Only thing is I have already submitted his letter to my schools so I'm guessing there's not really much he can do. He doesn't know where I've applied so all he could really do is email my pre health office and ask to retract my letter although they've already uploaded my committee letter packet to the AMCAS. My question is that he can't really do anything right? He is on the faculty for one of the schools I have applied to but tbh it's not the end of the world if I don't get in there it's an extreme backup anyway.

 

[PB&Jam]

He can't do much about the letter, but be careful, because ADCOMs can contact your recommenders for further information. If he gives you a bad review then, it will probably negate his letter.

For the record, I completely understand the difficulties involved in balancing lab work with other ECs. I had to leave my previous lab because of it. If there is anything you can do to go in more often, or do some background research at home, do that. Show in some way your commitment.

 

[NotASerialKiller]

Why not just take his last chance and try to appease the person who's threatening you?

 

[Lawpy]

So my PI is threatening to retract my LOR. Basically he doesn't like it that I have other obligations during the summer like work and volunteering and is telling me that I am not dedicated enough to lab. He said he is giving me one last chance or he will retract his LOR?

So I'm trying to understand what your PI would do if you fail to meet his requirements. Would he basically send a follow-up letter to schools that revokes whatever he said in the previous letter that's been submitted? If so, that would make him look like a fool (why would he write a good letter in the first place?) while basically sending your admission chances crashing to zero.

Your priority now is simple. Focus on his requirements now and allay his concerns by spending more time in research.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Sounds like an empty treat to get you to commit more time to the lab. Still, I'd look for another letter writer just in case things don't improve.

 

[jmanswers0]

True I'll guess I'll just appease him until I get admitted and then I'm done with his abuse lol

 

[JustAPhD]

Sounds like an empty treat to get you to commit more time to the lab. Still, I'd look for another letter writer just in case things don't improve.

Letter has already been submitted.

Tough situation OP, but not much you can do. Just grin and bear it until you can leave the lab on amicable terms.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Are you getting paid to be in his lab?

 

[Mansamusa]

Why don't you retort? (Assuming this isn't paid research)

Say, "I've considered what you said, and maybe you are right. I haven't been able to dedicate the time necessary to the lab and that isn't fair to the team. If you find that I'm extending myself the point that you would consider retracting my letter for my unsatisfactory work, perhaps it would be for the best if I took a break from the lab so that you can find someone with a schedule that can be completely dedicated to research."

Then he'll tell you to give it another shot (because he doesn't want to find and train someone new). Call him out on his bluff in a nonconfrontational way.

I had a PI like this who would threaten me over getting my work study pay. As soon as I got a better offer, I went "Peace." Threats are not a very good way to motivate people

 

[edgerock24]

What a loser, honestly.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

because ADCOMs can contact your recommenders for further information.

^This. As obnoxious as it is that your PI is threatening you, you should probably go the extra mile for the rest of the summer to get back in his good graces. (And then peace out after that.) Unless you have some sort of red flag on your app, it's probably unlikely that adcoms would contact your letter writers but it definitely can happen.

 

[UnlikelyPreMed]

I thought there were no back up schools when it came to med schools, let alone an EXTREME back up. I'm curious about yours stats now.

 

[Petrichor1]

If this intercepts with your other activities and they mean equally to you, I don't know why you didn't organize a more nonconflicting schedule before. Either way, don't fall for what your Pi expects out of you. Work a middle ground. Many of them can be very manipulative and that too if you don't get paid.

 

[DocJuan]

Sheesh it sounds like you got a LOE from a vindictive person. You're PI sounds like a jerk and unless you're getting paid or receiving credit (I'm assuming none of these because he is resorting to threats) you don't owe them anything.

Plus how does it make them look by writing you a glowing recommendation then doing a 180 in terms of their opinion of you. If I were extremely unhappy in a lab and didn't need to be there I would quit. You should threaten to REPORT him to whatever dean or administrator is his superior. Refusing to write a letter is one thing but threatening to reach out to med school to tank your app? That has to be inappropriate.

 

[LizzyM]

So my PI is threatening to retract my LOR. Basically he doesn't like it that I have other obligations during the summer like work and volunteering and is telling me that I am not dedicated enough to lab. He said he is giving me one last chance or he will retract his LOR? Only thing is I have already submitted his letter to my schools so I'm guessing there's not really much he can do. He doesn't know where I've applied so all he could really do is email my pre health office and ask to retract my letter although they've already uploaded my committee letter packet to the AMCAS. My question is that he can't really do anything right? He is on the faculty for one of the schools I have applied to but tbh it's not the end of the world if I don't get in there it's an extreme backup anyway.

Is this paid employment, work-study, or research for credit? Did you have an agreement as to the number of hours you would work in a given period of time or a set quantity of work that would be accomplished in a set period of time? Is this only for the summer or is this a professioal relationship that was expected to last beyond the end of the summer? How long had you already worked for him when he wrote the letter?

 

[DocJuan]

Did you have an agreement as to the number of hours you would work in a given period of time or a set quantity of work that would be accomplished in a set period of time?

I guess this is the reason my PI stressed that he wanted me to generate good data before writing the letter. I didn't really see him as holding the letter hostage so much as waiting until he could write an honest and strong letter.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Do what you must and never look back.

 

[Marcion]

So I had a semi-similar situation last year. There's good news! He can't do jack squat about the letter he's already sent in. He can, however, send in an "updated" letter saying "jmanswers0 is a lazy good-for-nothing and I hope he dies!" (Don't tell him this!)

Oh, hmm, I see it's part of a committee letter. It might be a good idea to call your advising office and try to head him off on this. Chances are they're going to be the gatekeepers if he decides to do anything, and they probably have policies they have to at least pretend to follow against using LORs as a tool of extortion.

 

[Marcion]

I thought there were no back up schools when it came to med schools, let alone an EXTREME back up. I'm curious about yours stats now.

Also, this is super true.

 

[jmanswers0]

@LizzyM This is unpaid research. I did it for credit last year but I decided to continue in the lab through my senior year. I worked for him for two semesters when he wrote the letter.

@UnlikelyPreMed that's not what I meant. The school in which he's faculty member is actually a match school for me in terms of stats, but the only way in hell I go there is if I get in absolutely nowhere else.

I think I'll just suck it up and go to lab more or at least give the appearance that I am trying.