PhD application: No LOR from current PI

[shanaya_neuro]

Hi all..

I am planning to pursue my PhD in the US for fall 2020.

I graduated in the year 2017 and have been working as a Research Assistant in a lab. I don't have any publications yet and my PI is stressing me so much on doing my phd here. She is not going to give me LOR for my grad studies in the US. Also she is acting so cranky these days.

I was planning to join another lab for an year but then I want to complete the work in this lab which I am doing and give it off for publication. 

I really don't know what to do. My applications will be badly affected if she doesn't give me an LOR. Please any suggestion is appreciated. 

Thanks for your time. 

[cephalexin]

Are you certain your PI won't write you a positive letter? i.e. have you asked or are you just assuming? I would say that having one of your letters be from your primary PI is quite important. 

[shanaya_neuro]

I feel she might not give me one. Even if she does...I don't know if she will be giving a positive one. 

 

[cephalexin]

4 hours ago, shanaya_neuro said:

I feel she might not give me one. Even if she does...I don't know if she will be giving a positive one. 

 

Your best bet right now is probably being direct. Ask if she will write you a positive letter, and make sure you specific “positive.”