tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post6212661858669043053..comments2024-03-28T02:46:03.227-04:00Comments on The Historical Society: ‘Tis the Season for Letters of RecommendationRandallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755286304057000048noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-70277047967212088292013-01-21T13:04:27.888-05:002013-01-21T13:04:27.888-05:00Students could use some advice on the etiquette of...Students could use some advice on the etiquette of asking for the letter. That's always a tough one.<br />Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16755286304057000048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-87888964657056423212013-01-21T11:37:34.795-05:002013-01-21T11:37:34.795-05:00This is really helpful. Nice to know I'm not t...This is really helpful. Nice to know I'm not the only one who struggles with these!<br /><br />It has come back to me that what really matters in a letter is detail. As you say, put in what they argued in that great essay, and why their evidence was significant. From my point of view, that also gives you some room to make it clear that someone you had to write for (because no one else would-- I agree that you shouldn't recommend someone you really don't think is top-notch, but sometimes you have to) is not, necessarily a good fit for graduate work. <br /><br />When I started in this profession, there were coded words that tagged the strength of your recommendation. It seems like the significance of those words has been lost, and it IS a loss. Now it seems like every letter swears the individual is the best thing since sliced bread-- and you can get six of those letters from the same recommender in the same pool. Hence the importance of details, I guess.<br /><br />Here's a rant, though: I get irritated by some public universities that clearly have a rising star on their hands, and have to document that person's status every time s/he moves up even a baby notch on the ladder. I can think of two times I wanted to start my letter with: "Are you &^%$ serious that you need my approval to promote one of the best scholars in the profession from level E to level D?!?" (I didn't. At least not in the final draft!)<br /><br />OK, off to watch the inauguration!hcrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07334093881332383848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-68321796527421637682013-01-21T08:44:38.357-05:002013-01-21T08:44:38.357-05:00Test scores are great, but I got a nice letter (fo...Test scores are great, but I got a nice letter (form letter of course) from Duke last year after our second history major in 3 years got into their law school. They said (very nicely) that they got 6000 applications for 200 positions and letters of rec are really crucial to making those hard decisions between great candidates. So, don't discount your letter, Randall!Lisa Clark Dillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00155783885263417225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872819010848426693.post-16803926830687709242013-01-21T08:21:42.357-05:002013-01-21T08:21:42.357-05:00Loved this post. It's something I think about...Loved this post. It's something I think about quite a bit, but seldom if ever talk to anyone about. Great questions and suggestions. <br /><br />I think it probably doesn't hurt to say something about your own pedigree. An in a short sentence or two it doesn't stand out.<br /><br />(A side note. One of my last students stateside got into Harvard Law! Thrilled about that. Doubt my letter mattered like his LSATs did. This student blew the doors off the test.)Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16755286304057000048noreply@blogger.com