requesting_a_reference_letter_from_me

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requesting_a_reference_letter_from_me [2021/01/24 20:21] filinationrequesting_a_reference_letter_from_me [2024/02/19 21:22] (current) – [Requesting a reference letter from me] filination
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 ====== Requesting a reference letter from me ====== ====== Requesting a reference letter from me ======
  
-In every course I receive several requests for reference letters from students. To make things clear, the following is my policy regarding reference letters:+Every year and in every course I receive dozens of requests for reference letters from students. 
  
-(Template for undergradautes who took my PSYC3052/PSYC2071 courses and conducted a replication and extension project__**please [[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nnf5hefakwEN7owJg3q5e4SJ5gQeJINW/view?usp=sharing|see the template here]]**__)+To make things clearer and to save us all timethe following is my policy regarding reference letters:
  
-I generally do not give personalized reference letters for large fundamental undergraduate courses (e.g., PSYC2020), because the course structure does not allow me sufficient individualized interaction with each student to truly talk the student. To be able to do so, we would need to have met and talked in-depth during the semester and/or started working on something together. +  * I generally do not give personalized reference letters for large fundamental undergraduate courses (e.g., PSYC2020), because the course structure does not allow me sufficient individualized interaction with each student to truly talk the student. To be able to do so, we would need to have met and talked in-depth during the semester and/or started working on something together.  
 +  * If you did a personalized project in one of my advanced classes (PSYC3052/2071), and you did well (A grade and above), then I'm happy to provide a recommendation.  
 +  * If you did a thesis with me and did well (A- and above), indicating that we had no major issues, ofcourse I'm happy to support you. 
 +  * If you're a coauthor on a joint manuscript resulting from your work in my courses, then I am happy to support you. 
 +  * If you did a thesis with me submitted to PCIRR that received a Stage 1 in-principle acceptance, then ofcourse I'm happy to support you. 
 +  * For all other cases - It's best that you try and find other professors to provide you with a reference letter. 
 + 
 + 
 +(Template for students who did their thesis with me or who took my PSYC3052/PSYC2071 courses and conducted a replication and extension project, __**please [[https://www.dropbox.com/s/x3g6gttnpqd2bc7/Reference%20letter%20template%20for%20courses-Gilad%20Feldman.docx?dl=0|see the template here]]**__)
  
-If you did a personalized project in one of my advanced classes (PSYC3052/2071), and you did well (A grade and above), then I'm happy to provide a recommendation.  
  
 ====== General requests/terms ====== ====== General requests/terms ======
  
   - Think carefully how many applications you want me to help you with, I have my limits. I have hundreds of students, if I complete reference letters for all of them to all places they're applying I won't be able to do anything else.   - Think carefully how many applications you want me to help you with, I have my limits. I have hundreds of students, if I complete reference letters for all of them to all places they're applying I won't be able to do anything else.
-    - For course instructor: I will support up to __**2**__ applications, no more.  +    - For taught course student: I will support up to __**2**__ applications.  
-    - For thesis students: Up to __**5**__ applications. +    - For guided thesis UG/MA students: Up to __**5**__ applications
-  - I will only do things **electronically**. Please do not ask me to do reference letters that require mailing in post/printing/scanning, etc. I simply do not have the time to mess around with these 18th century requests. It shows lack of respect for referees' time. If you really need my help in places that require those, ask wherever you're applying to if they can make an exception in my case. Refer them to this page. +    - For students who published with me: Up to __**5**__ applications.  
 +    - For guided mPhil students: Up to __**12**__ applications. 
 +    - For PhD students/collaborators on the job market: Job market is brutal - as many as you need to get a position
 +  - I will only do things **electronically**.  
 +    - Please do not ask me to do reference letters that require mailing in post/printing/scanning, etc.   
 +    - Please do not ask me to meet me in person to sign anything. 
 +    - Both are a problem, please understand. I simply do not have the time to try and meet 18th century requests, and to schedule meetings on this do this for every student that goes through my coursesRequests like that from universities, jobs, and societies shows lack of respect for referees' time. If you really need my help in places that require those, ask wherever you're applying to that they make an exception in my case. Refer them to this page. If they cannot - then I am really sorry.
  
 ====== Detailed guidelines ====== ====== Detailed guidelines ======
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     - Please also attach an up-to-date clear photo of yourself to help me remember who you are.     - Please also attach an up-to-date clear photo of yourself to help me remember who you are.
   - If you are applying to more than one program at a time, it is helpful for you to give me a detailed, organized list of all the sites. If there are unique features about a site that you want me to attend to in my letter (e.g., a job is asking for applicants with a strong statistical background), tell me, as this will help me tailor each letter to your specific needs.   - If you are applying to more than one program at a time, it is helpful for you to give me a detailed, organized list of all the sites. If there are unique features about a site that you want me to attend to in my letter (e.g., a job is asking for applicants with a strong statistical background), tell me, as this will help me tailor each letter to your specific needs.
-  - Don’t ask for a recommendation letter unless you’re certain you’re going to follow through with the rest of your application. First, be sure that you’re eligible for the position by reading the fine print. If a summer clinical internship wants applicants who are fluent in Russian and you have never taken any Russian, then you are not eligible and should not be asking me to write a letter for you. Second, do as much homework as possible to make sure that you like the job/position enough to warrant an application. If the job involves you working solo in the wilderness for long periods of time and you hate nature and can’t stand being alone, then you probably should not be applying and should not be asking me to write a letter for you. Finding a job in the current economic climate is difficult, and it makes sense to cast a wide net. However, casting wide is different than casting frivolously and impulsively; be mindful that writing support letters takes considerable time and effort by faculty.+  - **Don’t ask for a recommendation letter unless you’re certain you’re going to follow through with the rest of your application**. First, be sure that you’re eligible for the position by reading the fine print. If a summer clinical internship wants applicants who are fluent in Russian and you have never taken any Russian, then you are not eligible and should not be asking me to write a letter for you. Second, do as much homework as possible to make sure that you like the job/position enough to warrant an application. If the job involves you working solo in the wilderness for long periods of time and you hate nature and can’t stand being alone, then you probably should not be applying and should not be asking me to write a letter for you. Finding a job in the current economic climate is difficult, and it makes sense to cast a wide net. However, casting wide is different than casting frivolously and impulsively; be mindful that writing support letters takes considerable time and effort by faculty.
   - So that I can write a full and effective letter, it is helpful for me to have additional information about you when possible and when relevant such as: an unofficial copy of your transcript, your résumé, a copy of the cover letter that will accompany your job application, copies of writing that you have submitted for publication, copies of scientific posters with which you’ve been involved, scores from recent entrance exams (GRE, MCAT), and copies of personal statements that you’re submitting with your application.   - So that I can write a full and effective letter, it is helpful for me to have additional information about you when possible and when relevant such as: an unofficial copy of your transcript, your résumé, a copy of the cover letter that will accompany your job application, copies of writing that you have submitted for publication, copies of scientific posters with which you’ve been involved, scores from recent entrance exams (GRE, MCAT), and copies of personal statements that you’re submitting with your application.
   - If your application involves a funding request to an agency to support independent research (Fulbright Scholarship, Bates Summer Research Fellowship), you will want to spend ample time developing your proposal before asking for a faculty endorsement letter. Very ambitious applications like a Fulbright require months of careful and consultative planning. I cannot write a letter in support of your project unless there is a project to support.   - If your application involves a funding request to an agency to support independent research (Fulbright Scholarship, Bates Summer Research Fellowship), you will want to spend ample time developing your proposal before asking for a faculty endorsement letter. Very ambitious applications like a Fulbright require months of careful and consultative planning. I cannot write a letter in support of your project unless there is a project to support.
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