Hi comrades,
My professor emailed me today talking about how he is on tenure track and is now under review to extend his path to tenure. This is a normal process and part of it that would help the review committee is getting letters of experiences from students. He gave me a list of things that I should mention which I will when I write it (my experiences with his lectures, impact on my academics, anything specific that he helped with, etc.).
My only issue, and it’s not really an issue, is that I’ve never done anything like this before and was wondering if anyone else had had this experience and would be willing to share some tips on how to go about this. Even if you’ve never had to do an academic support letter I would still appreciate any advice.
Is there a way I should structure this? Do I address the committee? They have no official name, just the “review committee,” so should I start by saying something like “dear Review Committee”?
I was told that not writing a letter would not impact my grades or professional relationship with my professor, but I want to do it as it’s great practice for me and I want the committee to know just how great this professor is.
Thanks for your help!
Honest answer: doesn’t matter. Recommendation letters are basically yes/no letters. You either think the person will do a good job or you don’t. A ‘no’ letter just says ‘I know this person. They existed around me for a time. Please consider them’. A ‘yes’ letter says good things about that time existing.
If you have a good thing to say, cite a specific example so they know it’s an honest yes, but the real test here is just whether or or not the prof has enough rapport with students to drum up some earnest ‘yes’ letters, so don’t sweat it.
To whom it may concern,
I recommend the following people and/or things:
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Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
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