What does it mean when PI said"she's not able to send any more letters for me."?

[adrian10]

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[midnight0il]

It means that you asked for a bit much. 15? Were they all different letters, or just the same letter sent to 15 different locations? I would be annoyed having to send that many letters just for one student. You should look into Interfolio. Have her send a copy of the letter to Interfolio and then you can manage where that letter is sent yourself.

 

[Stoptheclot]

Forgive me for the list of Qs but I want to get more info...

Assuming this is for AMCAS? What do you mean by "send me some additional rec letters"? Were you submitting these on her behalf? Summer = 3ish months of research?

It means that you asked for a bit much. 15? Were they all different letters, or just the same letter sent to 15 different locations? I would be annoyed having to send that many letters just for one student. You should look into Interfolio. Have her send a copy of the letter to Interfolio and then you can manage where that letter is sent yourself.

I only wish that I used Interfolio... from what I heard it would've made things A LOT easier, especially for reapplications. Totally worth the, what, <$20??

 

[solitarius]

It means she's got better things to do and is tired of writing letters.

 

[La Presse]

Quit asking for letters, noob. My PI almost broke out the bat last summer because of that.

I am assuming this is for summer research.

 

[midnight0il]

Forgive me for the list of Qs but I want to get more info...

Assuming this is for AMCAS? What do you mean by "send me some additional rec letters"? Were you submitting these on her behalf? Summer = 3ish months of research?

I only wish that I used Interfolio... from what I heard it would've made things A LOT easier, especially for reapplications. Totally worth the, what, <$20??

I think I bought the $40/three years deal. Totally worth it. I've already been accepted, but could come in handy if scholarships (etc) needed LORs.

 

[adrian10]

Forgive me for the list of Qs but I want to get more info...

Assuming this is for AMCAS? What do you mean by "send me some additional rec letters"? Were you submitting these on her behalf? Summer = 3ish months of research?



I only wish that I used Interfolio... from what I heard it would've made things A LOT easier, especially for reapplications. Totally worth the, what, <$20??

Forgive me for the list of Qs but I want to get more info...

Assuming this is for AMCAS? What do you mean by "send me some additional rec letters"? Were you submitting these on her behalf? Summer = 3ish months of research?



I only wish that I used Interfolio... from what I heard it would've made things A LOT easier, especially for reapplications. Totally worth the, what, <$20??

Oh I mean send some additional letters for my app on her behalf. The letters are all for summer research apps.

 

[La Presse]

Dude, ask some TAs and some humanities professors.

 

[SolarMed]

I would be so pissed if my students asked me for 15 letters of recommendation. I tell them to give me a paper stating what the purpose is for and I include all elements. Use one letter for all application unless there is some extreme exceptions in which I may modify 1-2 letters. (TA at college and HS teacher right now)

 

[SN12357]

I'm amazed that it took until 15 letters for her to lose her patience with you.

Successful PIs are very busy, and if it seems like you aren't respecting their time, they won't be happy. However, if you make it clear that you understand how busy they are and are grateful for their time, the more willing they will be to go out of their way for you. By bombarding her with letter requests you didn't do that.

If you want a continued relationship with her you need to apologize sincerely and ask if she would consider uploading a letter to interfolio or whatever so you have access to it in the future. But seriously: a profuse apology first.

 

[Stoptheclot]

Oh I mean send some additional letters for my app on her behalf. The letters are all for summer research apps.

Gotcha. Yeah, I'd be careful. I kinda ruined a relationship with a physician I shadowed by doing the, "Hey-I-hope-youre-doing-well-btw-write-a-letter-for-me-thank-you" correspondence all the time. I had other physicians fulfill the letter requirement but it taught me that I needed to learn ways to truly nurture that kind of relationship. Tips:
1. Send non-academic updates. Hows life? What're you enjoying? Maybe drop a few pics in there.
2. SEND GOODIES! As a thanks for their letter, I sent each of my writers a $10 amazon.com giftcard.
3. Drop by and visit when youre in town. Obviously hard when you are OOS or something, but it means alot!
(EDIT: some of these may be tacky if you quickly followup with a "btw, letter, please?" I agree w/ above... an apology is best if you want another letter! BUT afterwards, continue the relationship!)

While most PIs understand that, yes, your experience in their lab is a rung on a ladder for you to get future research experience or med school acceptance, its still important to thank them and continue a normal relationship outside of your academic needs. Just some ideas!

 

[sliceofbread136]

You should have just used interfolio and asked for a generic letter of rec. 15 LORS is ridiculous, I don't blame the professor lol.

 

[Oso]

.. Fifteen different letters??

Fiftfu€kingteen?!?!?!

That PI has earned automatic admission through the gates of heaven. Please kiss her feet the next time you see her. Then leave her alone, very very alone.

 

[moisne]

.. Fifteen different letters??

Fiftfu€kingteen?!?!?!

That PI has earned automatic admission through the gates of heaven. Please kiss her feet the next time you see her. Then leave her alone, very very alone.

HAHAHA - AMEN!

 

[La Presse]

Gotcha. Yeah, I'd be careful. I kinda ruined a relationship with a physician I shadowed by doing the, "Hey-I-hope-youre-doing-well-btw-write-a-letter-for-me-thank-you" correspondence all the time. I had other physicians fulfill the letter requirement but it taught me that I needed to learn ways to truly nurture that kind of relationship. Tips:
1. Send non-academic updates. Hows life? What're you enjoying? Maybe drop a few pics in there.
2. SEND GOODIES! As a thanks for their letter, I sent each of my writers a $10 amazon.com giftcard.
3. Drop by and visit when youre in town. Obviously hard when you are OOS or something, but it means alot!
(EDIT: some of these may be tacky if you quickly followup with a "btw, letter, please?" I agree w/ above... an apology is best if you want another letter! BUT afterwards, continue the relationship!)

While most PIs understand that, yes, your experience in their lab is a rung on a ladder for you to get future research experience or med school acceptance, its still important to thank them and continue a normal relationship outside of your academic needs. Just some ideas!

I'm definitely doing this.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[adrian10]

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[snowflakes]

Hmm not sure about a gift card. I think it's almost more insulting to give them something with such an explicit monetary value, as though their letter and the time they put into it is worth $10. Personally, I just give a sincere thank you card, and keep them updated on how things turn out. If you do give them a gift, perhaps something like a box of chocolates would be better?

 

[Plecopotamus]

Thank you for your advice they are really helpful. I'll try gift card haha

The gift card sounds offensive to me, too. It's the thought that counts . . . and a $10 gift card can never match the amount of thought they had to put into a good LOR, so it's best to not even set that comparison up. We have been specifically advised not to give gifts to people writing LORs for residency applications. A thoughtful thank you letter letting the writer know how much you've appreciated their help and how the experience with them has been valuable to you AND respecting their time (seriously, did you think about how you would feel about writing 15 letters for someone . . . and there are quite possibly other people in her life making those kinds of requests) will go further than any gift card.

You need to send an apology to her. Explain that your research experience was valuable and that you are saddened to realize that you may have overburdened her. You can let her know that you recently found out about interfolio and that IF (and only if) she already has a letter that is generic enough to use for future applications you would be sincerely appreciative if she could upload it to interfolio.

 

[snowflakes]

The gift card sounds offensive to me, too. It's the thought that counts . . . and a $10 gift card can never match the amount of thought they had to put into a good LOR, so it's best to not even set that comparison up. We have been specifically advised not to give gifts to people writing LORs for residency applications. A thoughtful thank you letter letting the writer know how much you've appreciated their help and how the experience with them has been valuable to you AND respecting their time (seriously, did you think about how you would feel about writing 15 letters for someone . . . and there are quite possibly other people in her life making those kinds of requests) will go further than any gift card.

You need to send an apology to her. Explain that your research experience was valuable and that you are saddened to realize that you may have overburdened her. You can let her know that you recently found out about interfolio and that IF (and only if) she already has a letter that is generic enough to use for future applications you would be sincerely appreciative if she could upload it to interfolio.

Great advice all around.

 

[Stoptheclot]

Hmm not sure about a gift card. I think it's almost more insulting to give them something with such an explicit monetary value, as though their letter and the time they put into it is worth $10. Personally, I just give a sincere thank you card, and keep them updated on how things turn out. If you do give them a gift, perhaps something like a box of chocolates would be better?

Hah I mean it's all up to interpretation and it's impossible to know how a letter writer would react... Unless you TRULY, GENUINELY know and have a normal (well, natural id guess... Or one that is also outside of the academic aspect) relationship with them. I had phenomenal relationships with my writers for the LoRs, so when they received the gift card, almost all of them responded very positively. Two even wrote me a thank you for MY thank you. And i still, two years later, send them annual updates to what im doing.

Im not saying everyone should do this, but it is very important to be genuine in your gesture for thanking someone. Obviously if you don't have a more personal relationship with them, they might be more curious (offended?) to why you're sending a gift card. But the fact that you took the time to give them a gift for the invaluable experience?? I don't think that's inconsiderate or offensive at all.

edit: I agree that I think in this case it would DEFINITELY send the wrong message to send a gift card at this point and an apology is much more appropriate

 

[adrian10]

The gift card sounds offensive to me, too. It's the thought that counts . . . and a $10 gift card can never match the amount of thought they had to put into a good LOR, so it's best to not even set that comparison up. We have been specifically advised not to give gifts to people writing LORs for residency applications. A thoughtful thank you letter letting the writer know how much you've appreciated their help and how the experience with them has been valuable to you AND respecting their time (seriously, did you think about how you would feel about writing 15 letters for someone . . . and there are quite possibly other people in her life making those kinds of requests) will go further than any gift card.

You need to send an apology to her. Explain that your research experience was valuable and that you are saddened to realize that you may have overburdened her. You can let her know that you recently found out about interfolio and that IF (and only if) she already has a letter that is generic enough to use for future applications you would be sincerely appreciative if she could upload it to interfolio.

I was just kidding about gift card....definitely will not use it at that point... I have already sent her a apology email and a hand written thank-you card yesterday. And thank you for great advice!

 

[Microglia]

Gotcha. Yeah, I'd be careful. I kinda ruined a relationship with a physician I shadowed by doing the, "Hey-I-hope-youre-doing-well-btw-write-a-letter-for-me-thank-you" correspondence all the time. I had other physicians fulfill the letter requirement but it taught me that I needed to learn ways to truly nurture that kind of relationship. Tips:
1. Send non-academic updates. Hows life? What're you enjoying? Maybe drop a few pics in there.
2. SEND GOODIES! As a thanks for their letter, I sent each of my writers a $10 amazon.com giftcard.
3. Drop by and visit when youre in town. Obviously hard when you are OOS or something, but it means alot!
(EDIT: some of these may be tacky if you quickly followup with a "btw, letter, please?" I agree w/ above... an apology is best if you want another letter! BUT afterwards, continue the relationship!)

While most PIs understand that, yes, your experience in their lab is a rung on a ladder for you to get future research experience or med school acceptance, its still important to thank them and continue a normal relationship outside of your academic needs. Just some ideas!

Yea, maybe this works for smaller labs, but in large labs with super PI's I wouldn't follow that advice. I once worked in a lab with a very high powered PI who wouldn't want me dropping in his office for a visit unless I booked his time 6 mo's in advance. If I started flooding his inbox with non academic updates...oh boy. That would not end well. PI's are people, figure out what they want out of their lab members and students, and give them that. Sometimes it's what griefer said, sometimes it's to know your stuff, get your work done fast, and respect their time (and not waste it with pics from your last baseball tournament or say..FIFTEEN LoR requests haha).

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

.. Fifteen different letters??

Fiftfu€kingteen?!?!?!

That PI has earned automatic admission through the gates of heaven. Please kiss her feet the next time you see her. Then leave her alone, very very alone.

Seriously. What is wrong with this kid? I remember one time I had to ask a professor for a second letter. I was scared that I'd be seen as annoying. This is why I made sure to use Interfolio every time. For a 3 month gig he pushed her into 15 letters? This kid closed the door.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

You need to send an apology to her. Explain that your research experience was valuable and that you are saddened to realize that you may have overburdened her. You can let her know that you recently found out about interfolio and that IF (and only if) she already has a letter that is generic enough to use for future applications you would be sincerely appreciative if she could upload it to interfolio.

Do NOT do that. Apology with help request is automatically assumed that you're a manipulative jerk. That's how you get bad letters.

 

[moisne]

Visit them with no ulterior motives. Drop by and say hi and ask how they were doing.