Writing recommendation letters for students?

[MastersHoping]

Hello everyone,

 

    I tried to search LOR in this forum but it was mostly about asking professors to write them for us. Has anyone had experience in which students asked them for a reference letter? What was it for? How did you do it? 

     Currently, I am planning to write one for a high school student who wants to go to a college I attended. I served as this student's instructor for a course and was very impressed with the student's caliber, and believe that I can write a strong letter. That said, I am only a 2014 graduate of that college. Does being a relatively young graduate of that college matter at all? Should I include that I'm a PhD candidate as well, or just that I served as her instructor for a course? Thanks! 

 

 

[SwelSeal]

I would ask your advisor for advice. I'm nervous about the same sort of situation.

[Duns Eith]

Yes. Many times. I warn the student that my word has less weight and that they would be better off asking someone else, but if they persist I still write letters for them.

[Duns Eith]

I should also say, I have some criteria before I accept such a responsibility:

• Must have had me for a class I was instructor of record
• Must have been in top 5% of the class.
• Must have talked with me outside of class.

If a student hasn't met all these, I cannot write a good letter for them.

In my ideal world, I would modify the criteria to be:

• Must have had me for two semester-long interactions (classes typically, but if we're on the same project for whatever reason that works too)
• Must have earned over grade 95% in class, or top 3 students
• Must have talked with me during office hours about their plans and such, not just course material.

Edited May 16, 2019 by Duns Eith

[Saltwater]

I was asked to write a letter of recommendation for one of my students to medical school - that felt very strange to be asked to do that. 

Luckily, the student was accepted into multiple schools

[AP]

It's in the student's best interest that someone senior writes the letter. You will serve them better by letting them know they should approach other professors. You can be a third recommender.