|
BIOETHICS
The Bioethics Imperative IX
“Mokita”: The truth we all know and agree
not to talk about. Papua New Guinea.
Scenario: Frank Lee, a new graduate student in
the Gristmill lab, is applying for an NSF graduate fellowship that requires
three letters of reference. He is unsure whom to ask for letters. He
puts a note in his boss’s mailbox requesting a letter because Dr.
Gristmill, who is famous, will be out of town until a day prior to the
deadline. He asks for a letter from a professor he has been working
with as a teaching assistant for just two weeks by putting a note in
her mailbox. He asks a lecturer he likes personally for his third letter.
He procrastinates on his application and so does not have time to give
it to anyone to read. On his return, Lee’s professor is irritated
with him for springing this on him at the “last minute.” Later,
feeling very good about his chances because he has an outstanding GPA,
Frank is surprised when he does not receive the fellowship.
Requesting (and writing) letters of recommendation is
an extremely important, ongoing part of many professions, including careers
in science, from the time one is a student to the time one retires. Letters
of reference for individuals differ from reviews of manuscripts or grant
proposals because they evaluate both science and the person.
Among the many classic errors Frank made in the application
process was not seeking the advice of his professor early on. If one already
has a high stress level (writing a grant, having just moved, etc.—
in short, all aspects of being a new graduate student), it is tough to
ask what someone thinks of you and your work. However, by not asking or
not asking properly, you lose the advice and experience of your mentor
both on the process and on your science, and you may well degrade their
confidence in you.
In approaching your mentor, you are asking for a favor,
for help in completing the application, and for advice on how to do better
science. Honor them with your trust, and you will begin to forge a strong
intellectual partnership with them.
- Ask whether they know you well enough to write a letter.
(Give them a chance to say “no.”)
- Ask whether they can write a good letter. (Second
chance to say “no.” You do not want a poor letter anyway.)
- Tell them the deadline so they know that they have
time to get the letter done properly.
Writing a letter of reference is time-consuming because
it summarizes the interactions between the student and mentor, so you
need to honor your mentors by giving them enough time to get the job done
to their satisfaction.
Next: How to get the letter(s) you need and what
a good letter contains…
Dina Mandoli
University of Washington, Seattle
mandoli@u.washington.edu
|
