Rant: Bad Students Asking For Letters of Recommendation

[sighyoung]

Would she see the letter? do it and write a truthful letter.

I didn't think she was worth the paper and postage I would use to send the letter, to tell you the truth.

Then again, I could've written a three-word letter that said "She's great, yeah." That would sink her, too.

Usually, most people have the good sense not to ask. I've only had to refuse one other student, who asked for a recommendation to law school. I e-mailed back and wrote, "I'm sure you would be a wonderful lawyer. Unfortunately, I would feel compelled to mention your class attendance, and since you were absent 90% of the time, I think you should ask someone else to recommend you."

[BW23]

I wouldn't write one if I had to be negative on it. I'd just decline.

[sighyoung]

I wouldn't write one if I had to be negative on it. I'd just decline.

++ That's what I do.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I guess that's the right thing to do since it's someone's life you'd be messing with.

[sighyoung]

I guess that's the right thing to do since it's someone's life you'd be messing with.

Yeah. There's probably another teacher who can sincerely vouch for him or her. If not . . .

[BW23]

Well, for me, I just don't want it coming back on me. Even informally...I'd rather not say anything about a past employee, for example, if I had to get rid of the employee or there was another bad reason for not wanting to give it. I've declined comment before. That speaks volumes, and it doesn't get you in trouble.

[G. Keenan]

Is she any relation to the former dean of the education school?

I always wonder how these sorts of people become who they are.

[planet planet]

Your questions about other sources of recommendations are good ones, sigh and BW. Unfortunately, these people are lacking in respect with all their professors and don't show any type of responsibility across the board. They come to you because they either suspect you're an easy mark or they think you might have empathy. I'd venture to say it was the latter.

[Spider John]

Sigh, my wife works at a community college, so I read her your post, and she said it's the same way at her place. It always the adviser's fault.

[BW23]

Your questions about other sources of recommendations are good ones, sigh and BW. Unfortunately, these people are lacking in respect with all their professors and don't show any type of responsibility across the board. They come to you because they either suspect you're an easy mark or they think you might have empathy. I'd venture to say it was the latter.

I've never been asked to write one on someone I wouldn't have wanted to. The informal stuff I've had to skirt the issue, but I guess I'm lucky on the more formal ones.

The thing I hate is those that get good recommendations when they're lazy and bad employees/students, like pop touches on, that get the good recommendations so they won't be "our" problem anymore. That bothers me on way too many levels, but mostly that it doesn't reflect well on us once the new employer sees just how bad they are.