On letters of recommendation
I am happy to write letters of recommendation for students when I know I can write a letter that is sufficiently positive about one's candidacy for graduate school, a job, etc... This means I may not agree to write a letter for all students who ask. If I decline to write a letter, it is based on whether I can write a letter that will actually help you as a candidate.
There are some necessary conditions for me agreeing to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
First, you must have earned at least an A- in my course/s. I *may* consider a student who earned a slightly lower grade under special circumstances (see the next requirement). If you are not performing at that level in my classes, I'm not the best person to write a letter for you.
Second, I must know you beyond what is in my gradebook or records. There must be some more meaningful interaction between me and you for me to be able to write a letter with sufficient detail and enthusiasm to be helpful to you. A letter that simply states information that could be gleaned for your transcript and resume (what I can produce if we never spoke outside of class, or if you were not an active participant in the classroom) is not helpful to you and is difficult for me to write. In some circumstances, I may write for students with grades lower than A-, but only when I know them well and we have had several interactions outside of class.
If I agree to write a letter for you, you have several responsibilities:
* I need THREE WEEKS notice to write a letter. I try very hard to write a carefully considered letter, and have multiple competing demands on my time. Three weeks is the minimum amount of time I need to schedule time to work on the letter for you (more is ideal).
* Provide me with a list of places needing letters along with the individual deadlines for each.
* Provide me with a information on the course(s) and the semester(s)/year(s) when you took the course(s) from me. Please provide me with a copy of any work you did for the course--examinations, term papers, etc. Letters are most effective when I can provide details from your work.
* Provide all the required forms and documents, filled out with any relevant information that you can fill out such as name, address, desired program, etc. If the forms are online, please print off this required information for my reference.
There are some necessary conditions for me agreeing to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
First, you must have earned at least an A- in my course/s. I *may* consider a student who earned a slightly lower grade under special circumstances (see the next requirement). If you are not performing at that level in my classes, I'm not the best person to write a letter for you.
Second, I must know you beyond what is in my gradebook or records. There must be some more meaningful interaction between me and you for me to be able to write a letter with sufficient detail and enthusiasm to be helpful to you. A letter that simply states information that could be gleaned for your transcript and resume (what I can produce if we never spoke outside of class, or if you were not an active participant in the classroom) is not helpful to you and is difficult for me to write. In some circumstances, I may write for students with grades lower than A-, but only when I know them well and we have had several interactions outside of class.
If I agree to write a letter for you, you have several responsibilities:
* I need THREE WEEKS notice to write a letter. I try very hard to write a carefully considered letter, and have multiple competing demands on my time. Three weeks is the minimum amount of time I need to schedule time to work on the letter for you (more is ideal).
* Provide me with a list of places needing letters along with the individual deadlines for each.
* Provide me with a information on the course(s) and the semester(s)/year(s) when you took the course(s) from me. Please provide me with a copy of any work you did for the course--examinations, term papers, etc. Letters are most effective when I can provide details from your work.
* Provide all the required forms and documents, filled out with any relevant information that you can fill out such as name, address, desired program, etc. If the forms are online, please print off this required information for my reference.
