Should I have my research PI email a professor I'm trying to do summer research with?

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm applying to a summer program and the application is VERY informal. Basically, I just emailed the professor with my resume, transcript, and description of my current project. The school is currently on winter break but the professor has been very good about communicating with me and told me a he'd have a decision by early next week. The main issue, it seems to me, is that there may be a severe lack of housing this summer.</p>

<p>1) The professor I'm doing research with right now (my PI) offered to send him and email basically recommending me to him; she knows me pretty well and is very familiar with my work ethic. They don't each other personally but have heard of each other's names as they're fairly well-known in their field. Would this be appropriate or would it just be awkward seeing as how they don't really know each other? </p>

<p>2) The professor I'm applying to do research under asked me for a really brief description of my current project along with my application. I'm on the verge of finishing a part of my project and writing up a report for it. The report/paper is most likely not going to published since the topic has been done numerous times but I was thinking of sending it to him since it would provide him with a sample of my work (and hopefully demonstrate that I'm committed and have a good work ethic). Good idea or no?</p>

2

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Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes. </p>

<p>But don’t send the report. If he asked for a brief description, just send an abstract of your work.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the quick reply. I should probably elaborate on the second point. I already sent him the abstract/brief description as he requested. It’s just that since the application is so informal, and since this is for a research position, I was considering sending the report as a supplement.</p>

4

<p>2nd Mollie. Your PI sending a recommendation that you’re a competent researcher who works hard is waaay more valuable than a report that this professor probably won’t have time to read.</p>

5

<p>YES your current PI should vouch for you for this professor, especially if they know each other professionally.</p>

<p>No, I wouldn’t send the paper - although you can note that you do have a draft of your work and that you can send it to him if he would like to read it. Also, even if your topic has been done several times…you should still try to publish the paper!</p>

6

<p>Where are you applying too</p>