Thursday, January 26, 2006

my first rejection letter...

Bryan,

You've placed me in a difficult position. When we spoke on the telephone last semester, I told you that I didn't remember you specifically and therefore wasn't a good choice for a recommendation. You sent me a story draft in the hope that it would jog my memory. It didn't. I drafted a recommendation for you based upon the meager information at hand but realized that it was unlikely to help your cause. As it would have likely result in the rejection of your application, I didn't send it. I cannot behave unethically and fictionalize a recommendation, but I know that you are not asking me to do so. This being the case, you will need to find a replacement recommendation.

My easiest course would have been to send the recommendation and be done with it; however, I could not do so in good conscious as the draft you forwarded and your tenacity in your application suggest that you could have the stuff to go the distance. Once you're in, let me know if you are in Atlanta and would like to visit the workshop and share your graduate experience. Remember: write every day.

All best,
recommender

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

ouches.

well, if it's any consolation, my first semester grades absolutely sucked. like "i'm going to have to do special favors to get hired" sucked.

the skinny miracle said...

i still can't believe how foul that was considering how late it was that he notified you about this. that strikes me as egregiously unprofessional.