Reference letter dilemma - need advice

[sugarmouse]

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I have worked at a lab for ~2 years with a neuroscientist/PI who may/may not write me a superb letter because I have never really communicated extensively with him and because there are at least ~4-5 other students who have much better relationship with him (and I know that at least 3 are asking him for med school reference letter this/next cycle).

On the other hand, there is another lab I worked with a PI/physician whom I have known for ~1 year who can write me a decent reference letter. From both labs, I produced at least 1 conference letter & working papers.

Should I bother asking a letter from the neuroscientist/PI?

 

[Jennyfishy]

Assuming you have the 2 science professors, non-science, and are just wondering if you should get an extra letter from the other PI, it's kind of a weird situation. The circumstances are pretty similar - undergrad researcher in their lab, and if one would write a strong letter about how awesome you are, but the other would theoretically write some generic statements, it could hurt you more than help you (in my mind).

Maybe you should look into finding someone else outside of research who could write you just as good of a letter as the first PI to show you are more well-rounded? If you have absolutely nobody else who could do that and you just want an extra letter, you can talk to the PI about it and see what their opinion is before proceeding.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt! I am just an anonymous lurker on SDN..🙂