PI won't write a rec letter what should I do?

[ifonlyifonly]

so there is a complicated situation, but long story short I can't get a rec letter from my PI. I was just wondering whether I should even write that I worked in the lab at all because I've heard that not having a rec letter from your PI is a big red flag. Thoughts?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[LizzyM]

How long did you work in that lab (hours/wk and number of months)? Have you any other research experiences? How important is it to you to attend a research intensive school? Is your application otherwise stellar with medical experiences and community service/leadership?
If it was a short experience (< 10 hrs/wk and/or < 4 mos) and especially if you have other research experience etc, I would just leave it off the application entirely. You aren't required to list everything you've ever done and if you think that not having a PI letter would hurt your application more than not having research listed at all would hurt you, just skip over it.

If it was a full time job for a period of time or if you were in lab for > 1 year, then it leaves a pretty big gap in your experience to leave it out. In such a case, I'd try to see if there was someone else in the lab, such as a post-doc you worked closely with, who would write on your behalf as your supervisor in the PI lab.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

EC's
radio show, cultural club (small just in it for the fun)
Leadership position-budget committee since Jr Year
Research-This summer, and continuing into the year. I don't have anything published, but I believe I should be able to get a good letter.
Volunteering-Clinical:I've logged around 100 hours in the hospital, and should have 200/250 by next June. I also have been volunteering in the children cancer ward, but haven't kept track of hours. We just comfort the kids and play with them. If I had to put a number I'd say like 40? 50? That will increase by next June.
Non-clinical-tutoring kids on saturdays in math. I've done this since sophomore year.
Jobs-I've had tutoring type jobs here and there. Possible TA position in Bio next semester.
Shadowing-2 doctors, about 40 hours (this is an estimate) over the course of summers and winter breaks.

Based on the information you provided in this previous post, your research experience is a moderately important part of your application. LizzyM's idea of asking a graduate student or post-doc is a good one. Though it's unclear what your circumstances are, could the PI co-sign a letter?

However, If you think you have enough strong letters from other sources, I don't personally see why it would be a problem to list the experience and not have a letter.

 

[SolarMed]

I have never heard of a PI refusing unless they feel like they could not write you a positive letter. Was this the case?

My PI and I were not getting along very well. I hesitated a lot before requesting a letter from him.

 

[jwmd]

I have never heard of a PI refusing unless they feel like they could not write you a positive letter. Was this the case?

My PI and I were not getting along very well. I hesitated a lot before requesting a letter from him.

Sorry to comment on this post after so long, but I am currently in the same situation and it's bothering me a lot- my PI has not been very happy with me lately, because he expects me to spend much more time in the lab than I am able to (we got along fine until this semester, since I was only able to go into the lab about 6-8 hours a week instead of my usual 10-12 due to difficult courses and MCAT studying). Could you share how things ended up for you after requesting a letter of rec from your PI? Were you worried that it would harm your application, or were you relatively confident that it was still going to be a positive letter? Thanks!