Hi everyone,
I am a biochemistry major and I am currently applying to various biomedical science or biochemistry Phd. programs. Most of the programs I am applying to require three letters of recommendation. My problem is that I have four possible letter writers. There are two people that I am definitely going to ask: my current PI and a professor who I have taken multiple classes with (five of them) and who I am currently working for as a TA. These are the two options I have for the third letter writer:
1. My old PI. Most of the schools I am applying to are very interested in previous research experience and I plan to talk a little about the research I did for this PI in my personal statements. However, the reason I am hesitant to ask him is that it has been about a year since I did research for him and even though he was my PI, I did not know him that well. He was an extremely hands off PI, and while I know he would be willing to write me a letter, I have a feeling that it would not be a very detailed/personal letter. His area of research also does not match the programs I am planning to apply to, so that is also something to consider.
2. An instructor that has taught two of the biochemistry labs that I have taken. This instructor really liked me (so much so that he actually wrote me a thank you note for working so hard in his classes). I am also currently working as a TA for this instructor as well and I know him fairly well. I have a feeling that his letter would be more detailed.
Which one would you pick? The first option emphasizes my research experiences and I feel like it might look weird to describe the research that I did for him in my personal statement, but not include a letter of recommendation from him. However, the second option would give me a more detailed/personal letter.