As all professors know, it is letter-of-recommendation-writing season. I write them differently than anyone else I know. I meet with the student and write the letter during our meeting. I ask questions, type, ask questions, type, etc. The student inevitably remembers details of the class and how well they did better than I do. I ask questions that try to elicit the strengths of their case — about relevant experience, for example. Anything I find convincing I put in the letter. Sure, maybe they described the same stuff in their statement of purpose but I’m sure I can do a better job — professor to professor — than they can. (Statements of purpose are usually badly written.) I speak professorese, they don’t.
I like to think it’s win-win-win. It’s good for me because the letter is written quickly, easily, on time, and with good content. It’s the strongest possible truthful letter I could write — so I feel I’m doing my job. It’s good for the student because I make their case in the best possible way. It’s good for whoever reads the letter because it’s factual and well-argued. I don’t just say the student is this or that; I give examples. Most letters of recommendation do not give examples. Without examples, I ignore them.
Wow, great idea. Much better than playing email tag or trying to read the tea leaves from a student’s CV.
Yeah, your approach is much better in every way. I had well-meaning professors who misremembered details of my situation. I have to assume that if your letter of recommendation contains details that obviously don’t apply to you, it does more harm than good.
That’s great, Seth. Have you encountered a situation where you thought the letter should showcase the student’s weaknesses? That is, have you had a student in your office while writing a letter and realize that he or she did not do so well, was lacking in important skills or attributes, etc.? Or do you screen out those you wouldn’t write a good letter for prior to the office visit? And what if you don’t know the student very well (e.g., in a class of 100 or 300) and all you have is what you see in your office, not anything about their prior performance in the course?
Aaron, no, I haven’t encountered a case where I thought the letter should showcase the student’s weaknesses. If I don’t think a positive letter would be appropriate, I decline to write one. There’s always some prior performance in my class.
You described a great approach; what I like the most is how upfront it is. I will start doing this for my students as well! Thanks!