LORs - doctoral student vs. PI

[dancedementia]

Hey all,

I'm currently working in a great lab, but there's a small problem. Given that my PI is pretty well known and tends to travel a lot for conferences, etc. we haven't actually interfaced a lot. One of his doctoral students more or less runs the entire lab for him, and she has gotten to know me very well and highly recommends me. I would like a letter of recommendation from the lab. Would it be seen as a red flag or "not as prestigious/respected" if I asked the doctoral student instead of the PI to write my letter? I have a feeling she would say much better things about me.... but the PI is definitely a big name in his field. What should I do?

[rising_star]

What you should do is see if the doctoral student and PI can collaborate on a rec letter for you that would be signed by the PI. A letter from a doctoral student will not be valued in any way by an adcom.

[lewin]

What you should do is see if the doctoral student and PI can collaborate on a rec letter for you that would be signed by the PI. A letter from a doctoral student will not be valued in any way by an adcom.

This. In grad school an undergraduate student did most of their work for me. I wrote the first draft of the letter; my advisor bulked it up and signed it. 

[dancedementia]

What you should do is see if the doctoral student and PI can collaborate on a rec letter for you that would be signed by the PI.

This solution is so simple and obvious, and yet I didn't even think of it. Thanks - I'll do just that!