Possible paper publish as an undergrad, but no recommendation from the lab.

[lwgw]

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Just graduated from undergrad. Possible paper as one of the authors (middle author) because I was in that lab as an undergrad and worked on that project. But the paper needs a few more exps in order to consider as possible publication and asked to be a part of doing those extra experiments. I am consider about spending 1 or 2 months working on those exps to get the paper publish, but the problem is that I'm not sure if i will get a recommendation letter from that lab.

So, is it bad to publish a paper and not get a recommendation letter from that lab? Would admission see it as a red flag? I feel like it would be a red flag on the application. Is it better to have paper published with no recommendation letter from the lab than not publishing the paper at all? I'm an average student as far as gpa (will take MCAT early next year, but aiming for at least 30), and would most likely not apply/get into those top med schools that focus on research.

Thanks

 

[blizzah]

Why wouldn't you be able to get a LOR from this lab? If they asked you back, it can't be that you ****ed up there.

 

[lwgw]

Yeah, true. I asked a while back, and it just feels like I won't get a letter.

 

[FirstAndFinal]

It's extremely odd that they would be willing to put you as an author (not just in acknowledgements) and have you come back to finish experiments and yet not write you a letter. You really need to figure out why your PI has some reservations, totally bizarre.

Anyway, if you have a lot of good letters and not a lab letter it may seem a bit odd but they may just think you couldn't accommodate another letter. Publications are always good. I think they would just ask you about your experience in the lab during an interview to see why you didn't get a letter in the same way that we on SDN are kind of puzzled. Come up with a good explanation!

 

[Donald Juan]

Yeah, true. I asked a while back, and it just feels like I won't get a letter.

I'm not sure what this means...did you ask for a LOR and your PI just stared at you? or did s/he say yes or no?

I suppose if you are feeling like they won't give you a LOR, it sounds like you know they either won't write you one at all or won't write you a good one. Regardless, it shouldn't be too strange to not get a LOR for the research (even with the publication) unless you attempt to present your research as a huge part of yourself on your application.