Research PI from professor at another school?

[reluctantoptimism]

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I recently found out that I will be attending a research program this summer at a school that I'd very much like to be accepted to when I apply next year. The PI who I'll be working with does research which is tied to the medical school and often has med students who work in his lab. In doing the summer program I will, at the least, do a discussion of my research which may allow me to present at conferences. My question is as follows: would getting a LOR from this PI, assuming I do good research, have substantial bearing on an application to the associated medical school (my grades are competitive for the school)?

Thanks guys!

 

[URHere]

Like most things, the answer to this is: "It varies".

In general, a research letter will be a good addition to your application, assuming you build a good relationship and do solid work while at your program. As for the specific PI, very few researchers will be "big name" enough to be recognizable by the medical school admissions committee (obvious exceptions being researchers who are the heads of major clinical departments or those who actually serve on the adcom), so I wouldn't expect the name itself to have any substantial impact. The upside is that you could use your summer research program as part of your answer to the classic "why this program?" question. You could discuss your positive relationship with the lab and mention that you want to stay involved with that area of research during medical school. I think most programs would accept that kind of reasoning as a very valid reason for liking their school more than others.

Regardless, have fun and work hard!

 

[reluctantoptimism]

Like most things, the answer to this is: "It varies".

In general, a research letter will be a good addition to your application, assuming you build a good relationship and do solid work while at your program. As for the specific PI, very few researchers will be "big name" enough to be recognizable by the medical school admissions committee (obvious exceptions being researchers who are the heads of major clinical departments or those who actually serve on the adcom), so I wouldn't expect the name itself to have any substantial impact. The upside is that you could use your summer research program as part of your answer to the classic "why this program?" question. You could discuss your positive relationship with the lab and mention that you want to stay involved with that area of research during medical school. I think most programs would accept that kind of reasoning as a very valid reason for liking their school more than others.

Regardless, have fun and work hard!

I wasn't quite sure before but after looking at my PI's bio, he does indeed teach in one of the college of medicine departments and has done research with the head of a clinical department.

I'm really looking forward to the experience and I'm very happy but know I feel like I really need to be on my toes