Countable Thoughts -- Adam Blank

Requesting A Recommendation

Unfortunately, due to volume of requests, I am now unable to write recommendations for students who have not been a teaching assistant for me in at least two distinct quarters. I apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

Perhaps the most important thing to be aware of is if I don't know who you are, then I can't write you an effective recommendation. If there is someone who knows you better, you should ask them instead.

Letters that consist primarily of "X took my course and did well" are not strong letters, and if you believe this is all I can say about you, then I'd suggest asking someone else.

If you are planning on asking me for a recommendation, you should come to office hours throughout the term so I can place your face to your name, answer (or ask) questions in lecture, and stand out by doing extra credit, asking for clarifications, etc.

If you've decided to ask me for a recommendation, please do the following things: Read this section carefully. The only reason I tend to turn down recommendations is that someone hasn't read these instructions.

Make sure to ask me at least two weeks in advance. If you ask me only a few days before the deadline, I will likely be unable to write the recommendation for you.
Set up an appointment with me using this website. Make sure to mention (1) exactly which classes you've taken/TAed with me, (2) the timeline on the recommendation, (3) why you're asking me specifically, and (4) five distinct interactions we've had .
After we've met, if we've decided that I'm the right person to write a recommendation for you, I will need the following materials (via e-mail):
- Your resume/CV
- Your transcript
- A short description of who you are as a person outside of classes
- A short discussion of why you're applying to the job/program/school that I'm writing a recommendation for
- How the program(s) you're applying to advances your future goals
- What I, personally, can contribute to your application (to put it another way, why did you ask me and not someone else?)
- Five distinct interactions or moments I can write about that we've had (approximately one paragraph each) that would make good things to talk about in the letter.
- Deadlines and names of the schools/people I am writing a recommendation for

Please follow up on our conversation with an e-mail including anything you want to ensure is in the letter. Writing recommendations is a part of my job, and I'm happy to do it if I can help you, but it's important that you ask the right people. If you think I have less than a paragraph of things to say about you personally, you are better off asking someone who knows you better.