Research letter of rec not from PI?

[thinklikeaproton2019]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey all, looking for some advice on asking for a letter! Throughout my time working in a research lab I became very close with my direct supervisor who was a masters student at the time and who I believe would provide me with a very good recommendation letter. During my time in the lab I did not interact with the PI very much, maybe once a week during lab meetings. Would a letter of recommendation from my supervisor be useless? Should I ask the PI if he would be willing to write the letter instead? Or perhaps the masters student can write it and the PI just sign off on it? I'm not exactly sure how that works. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[ellia]

You can ask your PI to co-sign the letter.

 

[srpprs]

you could ask for them to co-sign, but not 100% necessary imo. Was in the exact same situation as you. One of my current letters is only written and signed by my supervisor who was a 4th year Phd student at the time. Did not interact with the PI very much and was the type of person that would probably refer to co-sign anyways. Have never been asked about it at any interviews, so have assumed it just doesn't matter. Content should hopefully trump the title of the writer.

 

[Lucca]

ur supervisor is only a masters student, ur PI has mentored way more students and will write a much better letter in spite of knowing you less in all likelihood. He should at the very least be familiar with your work in the lab. Ask your supervisor to write a collection of notes about you and give it to your PI along with your CV and letter instructions (if applicable, like the link to AMCAS guide for letter writers or something).

 

[thinklikeaproton2019]

Thank you all for your help!

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

Additionally, your PI will likely talk to your supervisor while writing the letter, so he'll get the cliffnotes version of what your supervisor is going to write.