I am happy to consider your request for a letter, but please review the attached guidelines carefully. I usually send out many dozens of recommendations for undergraduate students each year, and so I must systematize this process as much as possible.
Letters of recommendation are most effective if they are written by someone who KNOWS YOU WELL. Getting a letter from a professor who can only list the grade you got in a class is likely more harmful than helpful since it doesn't add anything above your transcript that could help get you into the school of your choice. Consequently, I ONLY write letters for students who:
1) Have worked in my lab for 2 quarters or more,
OR
2) Have taken 1 or more of my classes AND have given me an opportunity to GET TO KNOW THEM WELL during the quarter (e.g., came to my office hours regularly, actively participated in class discussions, were in a small course with ~20 students or less etc.)
Unfortunately, due to overwhelming requests for letters of recommendation (and the fact that the letter would not be strong), I cannot write letters for students when I can only comment on exam/test/paper performance.
PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LETTER.
If you do not meet these criteria, I am sorry that I will not be able to write a letter of recommendation for you. Please reach out to professors you've had in multiple classes, small classes, professors who you have gotten to know, or even Field Study and job supervisors.
If you do meet the criteria for a letter, please read through the guidelines below. That said, if you worked closely with a graduate student who now has a faculty or similar position (e.g., Emily, Brooke, Johnny, Marie, Amanda, Desi), please consider asking them instead since they can write an even better letter than I can given their close personal experience with you.
Thanks for your help – by streamlining this process, I will be able to write you a stronger and more effective letter. Anything you'd really like said in your letter, INCLUDE below.
Below are the materials that must be submitted when you request a letter. They must be delivered to Dr. Pressman either via email, or if there are paper forms, in person, in her mailbox in the PSB main office, or via snail mail. If you have no recommendations that must be mailed in paper form, Dr. Pressman is OK with an online google documents file or similar (drop box etc.) with your materials.
MY CONTACT INFORMATION (please be sure this is filled out correctly when you complete online forms)Dr. Sarah Pressman
email:
pressman@uci.eduTitle: Professor of Psychological Science and Associate Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education
4201 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway
Psychological Science
Irvine, CA
92697-7085
Phone: 949-824-5803
Fax: 949-824-3002
NEEDED MATERIALS & REQUIREMENTS for LORs:
1.
A checklist of schools and specific programs to which you are applying & application DEADLINES 2. RELEVANT INFO FOR YOUR LETTER: Undergrad and/or Grad Transcript (unofficial is acceptable) with GPA highlighted, GRE/MCAT/DAT etc. scores, your VITA/RESUME (don't forget your name and info on what you did in my lab)
3. All information for the website on my name, title, contact information, etc. should be completed by YOU on the website.
4. Statement of purpose/personal statement (not necessary, but will be helpful in writing the letter- a draft is OK)
5.**For lab members- I need Information from your direct supervisor (e.g., grad student, project leader, lab manager) on your work in the lab. They should send me information on their evaluation of your performance under them, your strengths & weaknesses, anything exceptional that you did in the lab, examples of unique abilities, etc.
Please send me a digital file with all of this information (or if you prefer, a hard copy in a binder or folder). Google drive works well so that you can keep updating things but still grant me access to what you have.
TIMELINE- All of your materials should be delivered to my mailbox in the Psychology Dept (or via email)
ONE MONTH prior to the first application deadline- You may send me ONE reminder, via email, that your letters are due. Keep in mind, typically these will be done the week they are due.
Sending Letters by mail- I prefer to send letters directly to the schools themselves to preserve confidentiality. Indicate in your list of schools if this is not allowed (and show where this is listed as required), and only then will I send you a letter directly.
- I strongly prefer that you
complete all of your applications at the same time so that your email notifications all come to me together (e.g., within a day or so of each other). Many other professors REQUIRE THIS so you should plan accordingly. It is very difficult to keep track of these emails when they arrive sporadically over a month or so period and often many go into spam.
ADDING OR REMOVING SCHOOLS FROM YOUR LISTI understand you may choose to add a program to your list after supplying me with your materials, but I strongly prefer to receive only one packet of information. If you remove one school, please let me know ASAP so that I don't still submit information to them.
In addition to the above materials, please complete the below form. I will not start working on your letter of recommendation until ALL materials have been handed in and this form is complete.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW CAREFULLY FIRST AND THEN EMAIL DR. PRESSMAN TO ASK WHETHER OR NOT SHE IS WILLING TO WRITE YOU A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION PRIOR TO DROPPING OFF THE HARD COPY MATERIALS.
