Dear Students,
I handle over 100 student requests per semester for letters. That means you must follow these guidelines when you request:
I love helping students out in this way, and I've done so consistently during my twenty-year career; however, it does take time to write solid, personalized letters of recommendation, and students' recommendation letter requests are always rising at exponential rates, especially since 2020.
My time is both valuable and limited as other demands are made on it; therefore, to ensure the best outcome for all, please work with me, and understand in advance if I cannot support you in this way at any given time, since demand remains high month after month. Starting during the pandemic, the ever increasing asks for letters of recommendation have continued, with no signs of slowing down. Go, Bears!
Best wishes,
Carmen
Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Ph.D.
I handle over 100 student requests per semester for letters. That means you must follow these guidelines when you request:
- Limit to 3 letters. Understand that requests received for over 3 letters will not be fulfilled so plan accordingly. Yes, a limit of 3, even if it's essentially the same letter for all applications. It takes time to tailor each letter for each application, to do the many 1-to-10 ranking prompts for each application, to go through all the required steps, and to exchange many emails for each student.
- Expect first come, first served. That means during times of highest demand you may not be able to get a letter from me. This does not mean that I don't think you deserve one. It means simply that I am very busy with full-time teaching and other responsibilities. So be sure to have many people in your "potential recommenders" portfolio.
- If I am able to provide a letter, you must select: "I waive my right to see the letter."
- If I am able to provide a letter, you must email me these: 1) semester/year/class you had me, 2) a detailed paragraph written in 3rd person supporting why you are the most qualified for this application, 3) the 3 programs you wish letters for, 4) the deadlines for each of the 3 programs, and 5) your most recent CV / resume.
- You must also email me a nudge 1 week out from the deadline, if you haven't already seen that I've submitted your letter by then. Like yours, my days get wonderfully engaged, and nudges help and are your responsibility. Thanks!
I love helping students out in this way, and I've done so consistently during my twenty-year career; however, it does take time to write solid, personalized letters of recommendation, and students' recommendation letter requests are always rising at exponential rates, especially since 2020.
My time is both valuable and limited as other demands are made on it; therefore, to ensure the best outcome for all, please work with me, and understand in advance if I cannot support you in this way at any given time, since demand remains high month after month. Starting during the pandemic, the ever increasing asks for letters of recommendation have continued, with no signs of slowing down. Go, Bears!
Best wishes,
Carmen
Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Ph.D.
Need Support?
How are you?
|