LOR questions

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>During my freshman year, I worked with a PhD student on her dissertation project. I've asked her to write me a letter of recommendation and she's agreed to it. I know that the usual advice on here is to have the grad student write the recommendation, then have the grad student and PI of the group co-sign the LOR. However, I've never even met the PI (heck, I don't even know the PI's name!). Would it seem awkward (from the grad student's perspective) for me to ask for the PI to co-sign the LOR, or does this sort of thing happen all the time? Since the letter is from a grad student, is it better to not have a letter at all from this research experience; or if only the grad student ends up signing the letter is it better to just have that?</p>

<p>Also, one of my gen chem professors from last year has agreed to write me a LOR. Over the course of the past semester, I've realized how much his teaching style has helped me to do well in the first semester of organic chemistry...would it seem toolish to e-mail him to let him know how much the way he taught gen chem helped me to do well in orgo?</p>

<p>Thirdly, for my non-science LOR, would it be ok if I got my trombone instructor to write it, or would it be better off as a supplemental recommendation? I get 1-2 hours of credit each semester for taking private lessons and studio class with him, and his official title from my school is "Lecturer." I feel like this could be a strong recommendation because this is the only class that I have had in college where a significant portion of the course is taught in a one-on-one setting.</p>

2

<p>bumping (10 char)</p>

3

<p>A LOR from a graduate student will not have a lot of meaning or impact. I suggest that you make an appointment with the PI. Provide the PI with a summary of when you were in the lab, who you worked with and what you did. Based on your discussion, the PI may agree to send a LOR on your behalf and the PI may ask the student for details to include in the LOR.</p>

4

<p>So I’m currently working in a lab that I love and can see me working in this lab until graduation. In this lab, I have a lot of direct contact with the PI. Would it be ok just to send one research LOR (from my current lab), and just not send a LOR from my previous lab (which will be largely written by a grad student)? Would that be a red flag?</p>

5

<p>No, especially if the research period with the first lab was brief and the second lab was much longer. You’re not applying for grad school, you’re applying for med school. You will need to find additional strong letters of recommendation from faculty or MDs you’ve shadowed or volunteered with.</p>

6

<p>If a student was with a lab for a year, must he submit a LOR from the PI? If he chooses to ask for all 3 LORs from the professors who taught him before (say, two science professors and one humanity professor), is it still fine or is it odd not to include a LOR from the PI? The PI is nice but he is just too busy (e.g., rarely have a chance to talk to him.)</p>