Re: Secure Letters of Reference

Traci Giuliano Thu, 13 Feb 2003 08:37:42 -0800

Kathy - I do think this is a legitimate concern, because I've had students admit to me that they did that (and that they knew of other students who did as well). It may have started out innocently enough (e.g., they really did intend to apply to that "other" school), but then they were tempted to open it when they decided not to apply. If I'm pretty sure I trust the student, I may give it to them directly. However, more often that not I just send the letter directly to the school (I tell students when they ask for letters that this is my policy). I've even called a few programs to make sure this is okay, and they've all said it was fine. Surely the people who run PhD programs can handle a stand-alone letter and make sure it gets to the appropriate person's file. :-) Just my 2 cents.

Cheers,
Traci

This will not answer your question, but to be honest, I actually show students a copy of the letter I write. If I ever have a question about whether they will really want me to write one (as in cases when there is an issue with a student that I feel I MUST include, and I tell the student this ahead of time), I show it to them before sending it. 99% of the time (actually it's more like 99.999% of the time), there's no problem. Part of the reason I do that is because if you cannot send a perfectly supportive letter, students have a right to know that. At least that's my opinion. Another part of the reason is because ultimately you can't be sure how secure the letter is.
David W.

At 10:45 AM 2/13/2003 -0500, you wrote:
As you undoubtedly know, a number of graduate institutions require their
applicants to submit all their application materials together, including
letters of reference, which are to be placed in envelopes, sealed, and
signed by the author. What I would like to know is, how can I be sure
the reference remains confidential?  What is to stop a student from
requesting along with a legitimate reference, a reference letter to
another institution they do not plan on applying to and opening that
reference letter? I had a reference form to fill out recently which
asked me if I would hesitate to send a relative or a friend for
counseling to this applicant (once they had received the proper
credentials).  I would, but I didn't trust giving that information in a
letter of reference I did not personally mail to the Admissions Office.
Does anyone else see any problems with this method?  Kathy Dillon,
Western New England College
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David T. Wasieleski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology and Counseling
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA 31698
229-333-5620
http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dtwasieleski

"It's funny in this age of illusion
 It's hard to tell what's fact or fiction..."
        --Tom Cochrane
          "Friendly Advice"


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Traci A. Giuliano
Associate Professor of Psychology
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX  78627
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(512) 863-1596;fax (512) 863-1846
 http://www.southwestern.edu/~giuliant

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Re: Secure Letters of Reference

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