SOP question + Letter of Rec question

[foremma]

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Hey everybody... 2 different questions. Thanks in advance!

1) For my personal statement, some schools do not ask that we list a faculty member that we would like to work with in our statement (and some go further, and do not ask us to indicate a faculty member on the app). Should I take this at face value and NOT indicate who I would like to work with at all on the statements? I have a paragraph dedicated to the member and why I would like to work with them, but I'm starting to question it. Also, would it be inappropriate to contact the PI's at the schools and ask if I am unsure? I have had very good contact with them, they have encouraged me to apply/ask questions, etc.

2) I am in a position where I work with a bunch of MD's seeking residency. We all do the same tasks on the research team (I am very lucky to have landed the position) so we're all on the same field, besides them being MD's of course. Would it look bad to have a letter from someone I work with, rather for (even though they're MD's?)

 

[Lisa44201]

1. If the instructions don't say one way or another, go ahead and leave it in - it certainly won't hurt. There's a difference between not telling you to do something and telling you to not do something.

2. A letter from a supervisor is fine. I'd go with just one, though, and have the other two from faculty.

 

[CheetahGirl]

Hey everybody... 2 different questions. Thanks in advance!

1) For my personal statement, some schools do not ask that we list a faculty member that we would like to work with in our statement (and some go further, and do not ask us to indicate a faculty member on the app). Should I take this at face value and NOT indicate who I would like to work with at all on the statements? I have a paragraph dedicated to the member and why I would like to work with them, but I'm starting to question it. Also, would it be inappropriate to contact the PI's at the schools and ask if I am unsure? I have had very good contact with them, they have encouraged me to apply/ask questions, etc.

2) I am in a position where I work with a bunch of MD's seeking residency. We all do the same tasks on the research team (I am very lucky to have landed the position) so we're all on the same field, besides them being MD's of course. Would it look bad to have a letter from someone I work with, rather for (even though they're MD's?)

1) Put that individualized paragraph in each letter (stating the POI and your somewhat broad range of interests that fit within theirs - in case another faculty ends up working with you) and leave out if they specifically say do not add it. If they do not say at all, ADD it b/c you want to make it easy for them to pick you out especially if you made contact with Houston.

You could attemp to contact each POI but they're being contacted by everyone and his/her brother right now. If they respond, be prompt, get your answer and move on.

2) If you do not have and cannot get what Lisa44201 said, then get one MD to write a STRONG letter saying that you are on the same research team and in what capacity he/she knows you. It doesn't sound like these looking-for-residency-MDs are your supervisors if they are in the same position. You wouldn't want to come across as deceptive if they were (suppose) some MD slicksters you work with who were willing to write a great letter.

If all is legit, you could ask the MD to say more about your fine qualities as a dedicated researcher and what a pleasure it is to work in the same lab. Although, it would be better to get that particular letter from your Principle Investigator ... not a (sounds like) fellow research assistant ... even though an MD.

Wait...Why are you asking the MDs and not your PI, again?

 

[foremma]

1. If the instructions don't say one way or another, go ahead and leave it in - it certainly won't hurt. There's a difference between not telling you to do something and telling you to not do something.

2. A letter from a supervisor is fine. I'd go with just one, though, and have the other two from faculty.

1. I am only worried in the sense that I could be limiting myself to 1 professor, and could be eliminated from the running for another one because I only indicated 1.

2. I am getting them all from heads of research, just thought that a 4th one could be good.

1) Put that individualized paragraph in each letter (stating the POI and your somewhat broad range of interests that fit within theirs - in case another faculty ends up working with you) and leave out if they specifically say do not add it. If they do not say at all, ADD it b/c you want to make it easy for them to pick you out especially if you made contact with Houston.

You could attemp to contact each POI but they're being contacted by everyone and his/her brother right now. If they respond, be prompt, get your answer and move on.

2) If you do not have and cannot get what Lisa44201 said, then get one MD to write a STRONG letter saying that you are on the same research team and in what capacity he/she knows you. It doesn't sound like these looking-for-residency-MDs are your supervisors if they are in the same position. You wouldn't want to come across as deceptive if they were (suppose) some MD slicksters you work with who were willing to write a great letter.

If all is legit, you could ask the MD to say more about your fine qualities as a dedicated researcher and what a pleasure it is to work in the same lab. Although, it would be better to get that particular letter from your Principle Investigator ... not a (sounds like) fellow research assistant ... even though an MD.

Wait...Why are you asking the MDs and not your PI, again?

Yes, they are not my supervisors. I am getting letters from my PI's, but I figured the 4th "optional" letter from someone with a MD degree couldn't hurt.

 

[CheetahGirl]

Yes, they are not my supervisors. I am getting letters from my PI's, but I figured the 4th "optional" letter from someone with a MD degree couldn't hurt.

When I applied to doctoral programs, I had a 4th letter from an MD, but he was my clinical research supervisor and we had great history together so his letter was very strong (he basically said you could trust me with your first-born - which you can). The other letters were from clinical psychologists.

If you're lucky enough to get them, I think 4th letters are fine as long as they are strongly in your favor. Other people may have different opinions.