MIGUEL ROIG, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Notre Dame Division of St. John’s College
St. John's University
300 Howard Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301
Tel: (718) 390-4513
FAX: (718) 442-3612

Policy on letters of recommendation

Students will sometimes approach faculty with a request that a letter of recommendation be written on their behalf. Very often we are more than happy to comply with such requests. However, increasingly, we have found ourselves in the position of having to clarify the nature of this service. Perhaps one of the most important issues that students need to understand with respect to letters of recommendation is that no student is automatically entitled to receive this type courtesy from a professor. A letter of recommendation is a privilege that a student earns, in part, as a result of generally positive academic experiences between the student and professor. Unfortunately, not all student-professor interactions and experiences are positive, particularly from a professor's point of view. Consequently, there are times when, for a variety of reasons, professors might not feel comfortable endorsing a particular student. There are also instances in which work-related pressures or other personal factors make writing such letters difficult for the professor. Thus, a professor may elect to decline the request.

So, what do we write about when we write letters of recommendation? An individual writing a letter of recommendation is typically asked to give an honest appraisal of the student's potential for graduate education or for a job position. Often we are asked to write about the student's strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, writing an effective letter of recommendation is not an easy task and can be even more difficult when the student is lacking in some important area (e.g., writing skills). Given all of these considerations, my appraisals of students are mostly based on actual classroom behavioral indicators and performances. As such, my letters of recommendation will routinely include the following information:

1. A listing of each of the classes the student has taken from me and the grade earned.
2. The relative standing in the class with respect to overall exam performance and with respect to any written materials submitted for that class.
3. A statement about the student's record of attendance including information about attendance and assignments' promptness or lateness.
4. A statement about my assessment of the student's verbal and writing skills.
5. A statement about my impression of the student's character, reliability, etc. based on his/her overall classroom behavior.
6. Other pertinent information, such as active membership in student organizations or extra-curricular activities.

If you want me to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf, you need to approach me and make the request privately. If I agree to write you a letter, then you must submit to me the information and materials in writing:

 Full name and address of individual and/or organization to who recommendation should be sent.

1. Program to which the student is applying to and date that the letter is due.
2. A self-addressed (typed) stamped envelope for each institution or place of employment where letter is to be sent.
3. A copy of your resume (if you have one), and/or any other information that might help me write the letter (e.g., work experience, research experience, campus activities). Include your e-mail address and telephone number.
4. The courses that you have taken from me and the grade that you earned in each course.

Letters will not be written unless I have all of the above information in my possession. I require that students allow me at least two weeks to write their letter. In addition, please be advised that I will write a letter of recommendation only if the student waves his/her right of access to that letter. For your benefit, make sure that all information that you include in the application package, including the letter of recommendation form that you give to us, is neatly typed.