On 13 Feb 2003, Kathy Dillon 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?
As it happens the same issue is currently being discussed on the other list for psychology teachers, PSYCHTEACHER. I just sent off one of my rare replies to that list, which may eventually be posted there in the fullness of time if it is found worthy. But I'd like to make the same observation here. This practice of requiring the instructor to return the letter of reference to the student is spreading. As a number of posts have indicated, this creates an unfortunate situation. It makes the instructor suspicious of the student and creates an unnecessary ethical dilemma for the student. I blame the graduate schools for instituting this objectionable procedure merely to save them a bit of officework. There are two solutions. One is to ignore the directive and send the letter in directly, with a note protesting the requested procedure. The problem with that one (aside from the risk, as Vincent Hevern notes, that they will refuse to accept it) is that this may cost the recommended student something in goodwill. The other is for faculty on this list who are involved in the graduate student application process to ensure that their department does not require this practice. I like that solution better. Stephen ______________________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips _________________________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
