Letters of Recommendation

Each year I have students who want me to write a letter of recommendation for them that will help them get into a summer program, university, or even for job applications.  I am always willing to do letters of recommendation for my students because I want them to try new things and take advantage of the numerous opportunities out there for them.  Additionally, I greatly want you to succeed in life!

You may know individuals that will give a recommendation for anyone and anything, and they'll say whatever "needs" to be said to make the recommendation a good one.  I am not someone who will do that.  In my own life, I do not make promises because I personally do not believe in them.  I try, as often as possible, to let my yes be yes and my no be no.  Of course, I make honest mistakes (often!) and forget to do things, but I firmly believe in doing things that I say I will do.  After all, if I say "yes" and really mean "no", can you really count on me to do ANYTHING in an honest manner?  If you think about it long enough, you'll probably decide that, in that case, I am not an honest person.  You'd be right.

Having said all of that, I do take letters of recommendation very seriously.  I believe that if I'm recommending you for a program, I'm telling that individual or entity that I know you as a person and am personally vouching for you as someone who will not only fit their program but will make the program look good.  In recommending you, I'm standing up for you personally and making honest statements about you as an individual and your performance as a student.  I put a lot of time into writing these letters, and to date, I have had many former students accepted into universities and some very prestigious summer programs.  Although I recognize that I certainly was not the only reason they got in, I do know that I contributed to it.

Therefore, if you want a letter of recommendation from me, I want you to consider these criteria before asking me:

• Have you and I spoken on a personal level (not having to do with physics)?

• Have you made A's or B's in my class?  If not, have you worked your way up to that level?

• Have I had any disciplinary issues with you?  If so, were they resolved?

• If asked, would I be able to accurately describe your personality to another person?

If you feel comfortable with these criteria, at this point you may ask me to write the letter for you.  I may ask you to meet with me to discuss the program you are interested in and perhaps simply discuss "you".  Don't worry about this!  I'm just trying to know you so that I can make an accurate assessment of you to another person.  If, after you ask me, I am not comfortable with writing a recommendation for you, I will tell you face-to-face, and I will explain why I feel uncomfortable. 

If you want a recommendation, please send me an email and include the following pieces of information:

• the program you are applying for

• the date you need the recommendation

• special considerations for the recommendation (sealed envelope, multiple copies, etc)

If I then choose to write a recommendation for you, I will complete it by the deadline you request.  Please allow me 1 week to complete this task!