4 ms·

I appreciate the author's intention to help. But I can't but be annoyed by his stance that "I am at Cambridge", therefore the way I prefer things to be formula

by udev 4y ago

I appreciate the author's intention to help. But I can't but be annoyed by his stance that "I am at Cambridge", therefore the way I prefer things to be formulated is the correct, universally accepted way. What's wrong with honest, no-nonsense recommendation letters? Why is flattering and positive language a requirement? I am sure the author knows how to differentiate "you are doing brilliant work" coming from his mother vs coming from the leading researcher in his field, and interprets each version accordingly. Similarly, what stops him interpreting "this is a good, promising, student" differently, depending of where it comes from? -- And I agree on another point with the author, yes it is "excruciating" to read recommendation letters, and also, it is "excruciating" and soul-crushing to write them if you are not used to telling white lies, and it is also "excruciating" as a student to deal with getting one, especially in institutions where the professor-to-student power distance is much higher that in western universities.

shp0ngle 4y ago
This is intended for students that go to Cambridge, of course. I thought that was obvious from the article?
- udev 4y ago
  From the article "In summary, please take time to write strong recommendation letters for your best students." "of course" and "obviously" it is not intended for students, but for professors writing recommendation letters for student that intend to go Cambridge.
rgavuliak 4y ago
I am an Eastern European that worked a lot for US companies (or generally the West). While it sounds like a no-nonsene attitude should work, I've found that being more salesy and positive works wonders when interacting with people from the US (I know Cambridge isn't the US, but it's likely similar in this aspect). This "I am not impressed by anything" attitude, results in you either omitting achievements that other candidates have listed and/or underselling the ones you would think of putting down. This makes you look worse than the benchmark. And the benchmark in the USA will always be skewed towards it's cultural lense.

by udev 4y ago

shp0ngle 4y ago

This is intended for students that go to Cambridge, of course. I thought that was obvious from the article?

udev 4y ago
From the article "In summary, please take time to write strong recommendation letters for your best students." "of course" and "obviously" it is not intended for students, but for professors writing recommendation letters for student that intend to go Cambridge.

rgavuliak 4y ago

I am an Eastern European that worked a lot for US companies (or generally the West). While it sounds like a no-nonsene attitude should work, I've found that being more salesy and positive works wonders when interacting with people from the US (I know Cambridge isn't the US, but it's likely similar in this aspect). This "I am not impressed by anything" attitude, results in you either omitting achievements that other candidates have listed and/or underselling the ones you would think of putting down. This makes you look worse than the benchmark. And the benchmark in the USA will always be skewed towards it's cultural lense.