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Professor refuses to write a recommendation letter to students who haven't written a research paper with him


Who should write a recommendation letter?How to obtain a fair recommendation letter from a professor who knows me via course, not research?Can I get a letter of recommendation from a professor who didn't teach me BUT I did research with?Asking for a letter of recommendation from a professor who's witnessed my breakdownCan one recommendation letter from professor and two from internships help in MS applications?Professor refusing to write recommendation letter to make student work longerRequesting a professor I barely know a recommendation letter for postdoc






.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








39















I am currently a fourth-year Electrical Engineering student. I have been a top-ranked student in our department. I have passed 3 courses with a professor in our department and have received a full mark in all three. I did participate a lot in all classes and had many discussions about the courses in his office hours. He knows me very well. I have also been the teaching assistant of this professor twice, for two distinct courses. I believe that I have also done a decent job as a TA for him. I also have worked in his research lab for a year now.



Recently I have asked this professor for a recommendation letter for graduate school and he refuses, arguing he has decided to only give a recommendation letter to people who have written a research paper with him. By the way, he is willing to accept me as a master student, in his group but I prefer moving to another university.



My professor is new to the field I am currently working on and I believe it is hard for an undergraduate student to write a scientific paper in this situation.



I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation.



PS: Maybe "reasonable" is not the best choice of word. I mean whether only giving recommendation letters to co-authors is something "common".



I am applying to a direct PhD in the US. But I am from a different country. Direct PhDs are not possible in our country.



I Professor obtained his bachelor degree in our university and his PhD in the US.
He has also worked as a professor in the US and in Europe before joining our department.










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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

    – StrongBad
    7 hours ago











  • Has the professor refused to submit a letter or just to write one. Some professors ask students to write the recommendation letter for them, and then they will sign it if they agree with the contents. It's one way for professors to cut down on the amount of work without leaving students like you in a bind.

    – David K
    5 hours ago











  • If it helps, during my Ph.D, I had a professor who'd only write recommendation letters if you got an A in his course. The rules "seem" unreasonable/arbitrary but when asked he said that it brought the amount of time needed for answering such requests. The ones who really wanted his recommendation would do well in his class and made his life easier. That was "his" POV - could be unreasonable for the student but then they'd usually go to another professor. However he'd be willing to bend the rules for exceptional cases - yours isn't. Best answer? Bad luck :(

    – PhD
    33 mins ago


















39















I am currently a fourth-year Electrical Engineering student. I have been a top-ranked student in our department. I have passed 3 courses with a professor in our department and have received a full mark in all three. I did participate a lot in all classes and had many discussions about the courses in his office hours. He knows me very well. I have also been the teaching assistant of this professor twice, for two distinct courses. I believe that I have also done a decent job as a TA for him. I also have worked in his research lab for a year now.



Recently I have asked this professor for a recommendation letter for graduate school and he refuses, arguing he has decided to only give a recommendation letter to people who have written a research paper with him. By the way, he is willing to accept me as a master student, in his group but I prefer moving to another university.



My professor is new to the field I am currently working on and I believe it is hard for an undergraduate student to write a scientific paper in this situation.



I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation.



PS: Maybe "reasonable" is not the best choice of word. I mean whether only giving recommendation letters to co-authors is something "common".



I am applying to a direct PhD in the US. But I am from a different country. Direct PhDs are not possible in our country.



I Professor obtained his bachelor degree in our university and his PhD in the US.
He has also worked as a professor in the US and in Europe before joining our department.










share|improve this question









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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

    – StrongBad
    7 hours ago











  • Has the professor refused to submit a letter or just to write one. Some professors ask students to write the recommendation letter for them, and then they will sign it if they agree with the contents. It's one way for professors to cut down on the amount of work without leaving students like you in a bind.

    – David K
    5 hours ago











  • If it helps, during my Ph.D, I had a professor who'd only write recommendation letters if you got an A in his course. The rules "seem" unreasonable/arbitrary but when asked he said that it brought the amount of time needed for answering such requests. The ones who really wanted his recommendation would do well in his class and made his life easier. That was "his" POV - could be unreasonable for the student but then they'd usually go to another professor. However he'd be willing to bend the rules for exceptional cases - yours isn't. Best answer? Bad luck :(

    – PhD
    33 mins ago














39












39








39


2






I am currently a fourth-year Electrical Engineering student. I have been a top-ranked student in our department. I have passed 3 courses with a professor in our department and have received a full mark in all three. I did participate a lot in all classes and had many discussions about the courses in his office hours. He knows me very well. I have also been the teaching assistant of this professor twice, for two distinct courses. I believe that I have also done a decent job as a TA for him. I also have worked in his research lab for a year now.



Recently I have asked this professor for a recommendation letter for graduate school and he refuses, arguing he has decided to only give a recommendation letter to people who have written a research paper with him. By the way, he is willing to accept me as a master student, in his group but I prefer moving to another university.



My professor is new to the field I am currently working on and I believe it is hard for an undergraduate student to write a scientific paper in this situation.



I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation.



PS: Maybe "reasonable" is not the best choice of word. I mean whether only giving recommendation letters to co-authors is something "common".



I am applying to a direct PhD in the US. But I am from a different country. Direct PhDs are not possible in our country.



I Professor obtained his bachelor degree in our university and his PhD in the US.
He has also worked as a professor in the US and in Europe before joining our department.










share|improve this question









New contributor



BBBB is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I am currently a fourth-year Electrical Engineering student. I have been a top-ranked student in our department. I have passed 3 courses with a professor in our department and have received a full mark in all three. I did participate a lot in all classes and had many discussions about the courses in his office hours. He knows me very well. I have also been the teaching assistant of this professor twice, for two distinct courses. I believe that I have also done a decent job as a TA for him. I also have worked in his research lab for a year now.



Recently I have asked this professor for a recommendation letter for graduate school and he refuses, arguing he has decided to only give a recommendation letter to people who have written a research paper with him. By the way, he is willing to accept me as a master student, in his group but I prefer moving to another university.



My professor is new to the field I am currently working on and I believe it is hard for an undergraduate student to write a scientific paper in this situation.



I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation.



PS: Maybe "reasonable" is not the best choice of word. I mean whether only giving recommendation letters to co-authors is something "common".



I am applying to a direct PhD in the US. But I am from a different country. Direct PhDs are not possible in our country.



I Professor obtained his bachelor degree in our university and his PhD in the US.
He has also worked as a professor in the US and in Europe before joining our department.







advisor recommendation-letter undergraduate






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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

    – StrongBad
    7 hours ago











  • Has the professor refused to submit a letter or just to write one. Some professors ask students to write the recommendation letter for them, and then they will sign it if they agree with the contents. It's one way for professors to cut down on the amount of work without leaving students like you in a bind.

    – David K
    5 hours ago











  • If it helps, during my Ph.D, I had a professor who'd only write recommendation letters if you got an A in his course. The rules "seem" unreasonable/arbitrary but when asked he said that it brought the amount of time needed for answering such requests. The ones who really wanted his recommendation would do well in his class and made his life easier. That was "his" POV - could be unreasonable for the student but then they'd usually go to another professor. However he'd be willing to bend the rules for exceptional cases - yours isn't. Best answer? Bad luck :(

    – PhD
    33 mins ago


















  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

    – StrongBad
    7 hours ago











  • Has the professor refused to submit a letter or just to write one. Some professors ask students to write the recommendation letter for them, and then they will sign it if they agree with the contents. It's one way for professors to cut down on the amount of work without leaving students like you in a bind.

    – David K
    5 hours ago











  • If it helps, during my Ph.D, I had a professor who'd only write recommendation letters if you got an A in his course. The rules "seem" unreasonable/arbitrary but when asked he said that it brought the amount of time needed for answering such requests. The ones who really wanted his recommendation would do well in his class and made his life easier. That was "his" POV - could be unreasonable for the student but then they'd usually go to another professor. However he'd be willing to bend the rules for exceptional cases - yours isn't. Best answer? Bad luck :(

    – PhD
    33 mins ago

















Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

– StrongBad
7 hours ago





Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

– StrongBad
7 hours ago













Has the professor refused to submit a letter or just to write one. Some professors ask students to write the recommendation letter for them, and then they will sign it if they agree with the contents. It's one way for professors to cut down on the amount of work without leaving students like you in a bind.

– David K
5 hours ago





Has the professor refused to submit a letter or just to write one. Some professors ask students to write the recommendation letter for them, and then they will sign it if they agree with the contents. It's one way for professors to cut down on the amount of work without leaving students like you in a bind.

– David K
5 hours ago













If it helps, during my Ph.D, I had a professor who'd only write recommendation letters if you got an A in his course. The rules "seem" unreasonable/arbitrary but when asked he said that it brought the amount of time needed for answering such requests. The ones who really wanted his recommendation would do well in his class and made his life easier. That was "his" POV - could be unreasonable for the student but then they'd usually go to another professor. However he'd be willing to bend the rules for exceptional cases - yours isn't. Best answer? Bad luck :(

– PhD
33 mins ago






If it helps, during my Ph.D, I had a professor who'd only write recommendation letters if you got an A in his course. The rules "seem" unreasonable/arbitrary but when asked he said that it brought the amount of time needed for answering such requests. The ones who really wanted his recommendation would do well in his class and made his life easier. That was "his" POV - could be unreasonable for the student but then they'd usually go to another professor. However he'd be willing to bend the rules for exceptional cases - yours isn't. Best answer? Bad luck :(

– PhD
33 mins ago











9 Answers
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73

















I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable




My personal opinion is that if you worked in his lab for a year (satisfactorily), it is unreasonable to refuse a letter. All the more so if you had other good interactions (TAing, etc.) with him.




and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation!




Unfortunately, my opinion counts for absolutely nothing. You cannot force this professor to write you a letter, and would be unwise to try. All you can do is find someone else. Preferably someone who can comment on your research, or at least someone who can confirm that your advisor almost never writes letters for undergrads (i.e., vouching that the lack of a letter from your advisor should not reflect poorly on you).






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  • 5





    It's the professor's recommendations. He is free to decide to whom he should give them. If every student got a recommendation, then they would become worthless

    – David
    7 hours ago











  • That little "satisfactorily" adverb is rather the whole argument though isn't it? Apparently being in this profs lab for a year with no paper to show for it is not satisfactory. Certainly a high standard of course.

    – A Simple Algorithm
    6 hours ago






  • 4





    You also absolutely do not want any "recommendation" letter that is won through coercion.

    – Alex Reinking
    5 hours ago











  • @AlexReinking That's what this answer already says.

    – Bryan Krause
    4 hours ago











  • @Bryan Krause It hints at it with "it would be unwise to try" but nowhere else. I am adding emphasis to this important point.

    – Alex Reinking
    4 hours ago


















36
















We cannot say if they are reasonable. We only know the details you provide and, moreover, we are not judges.



But this is the wrong question. Why should it matter for you if we say the prof is reasonable or not? There are many unreasonable people in the world. Among those there are professors, students, astronauts, beggars, social workers, farmers,.. with one word: everyone.
So don't ask whether they are reasonable. The answer does not help you.



How to handle this: Ask another prof if available.






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  • 15





    But, yes, it is ungenerous and unhelpful, in any case.

    – paul garrett
    yesterday






  • 3





    It is not helpful to the OP, but it is helpful to some other students: his PhD students will get a letter that will be more appreciated than other prof's letters apparently, because this professor takes his letters very seriously.

    – Dilworth
    yesterday







  • 12





    @Dilworth: Either very seriously or he just avoids work whenever possible.

    – user112604
    16 hours ago






  • 3





    @Dilworth, the professor--and his policy--would both need to be very well known for that to have any appreciable effect.

    – Matt
    9 hours ago






  • 5





    If this policy is well-known, it's likely this professor will have trouble attracting undergraduates to TA or do lab work for him in the future. This guy should also be up front about his policy so students can choose whether they should do extra work for him, or for somebody who will be willing to give them a minor assist in their grad school applications.

    – The Photon
    6 hours ago



















12
















The policy to write recommendation letters only for undergraduate students you co-authored with is not reasonable (or common).



Suppose for a moment that all professors adopted this policy. A typical grad school application requires three recommendation letters. If professors provided reference letters only to co-authors, this essentially means that an undergraduate would need to have written three papers to obtain the required three recommendation letters. I know of no fields in which that would not be an extremely rare occurence.



Of course, everybody has the right to decide who they write recommendation letters for. However, as a professor you also have the responsibility to do your part in the recommendation letter writing process. By adopting such a restrictive policy, you are essentially off-loading this responsibility on other professors. This makes such a policy very selfish and egocentrical.






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  • 1





    i think writing a recommendation letter is not off-loading but on-loading of responsibility to oneself (the professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter particularly if the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk omly then application could be done.

    – Always Confused
    5 hours ago











  • The student is not from the US and you seem to assume erroneously that he is.

    – Dilworth
    2 hours ago


















12
















Yes, the refusal seems reasonable in general. The professor is the one who should decide who he writes reference letters to, and if he has a policy of providing letters only to collaborators that is his right. Though unfriendly to undergraduate, it does have some merit: his letters can be trusted to a very high degree.



It is also possible that the professor does not think he can provide you with a strong letter. He already saw you in his lab, and may have not formed a positive view of your achievements at this stage. He may try politely to avoid the need to say this to you hiding behind other excuses. He may have suggested you become his master's student since he believes you are about to decline, or since he genuinely wishes to give you a second chance to prove yourself.



More importantly: any kind of hesitation from a potential reference letter writer should be an immediate warning sign that the person may not give you a good letter.



Conclusion: find another professor.



Important note: The OP has clarified that "Direct PhDs are not possible in my country." This means the OP is not from the US. Therefore, the Professor may not be accustomed to providing undergrads letters, only master's students, making the case even stronger for the professor to refuse a letter.






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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

    – StrongBad
    7 hours ago


















9
















I recommend not limiting your options. Since as you said, you are the top ranked student in your department, finding another teacher who's willing to write you a good recommendation letter shouldn't be that hard. If course it only makes sense to seek someone who you know can write you a good letter that helps your cause.






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    5
















    You could ask for a letter of evaluation, i.e. a one-page description of what you have done during your collaboration, instead of a letter of recommendation.



    Although your professor's stand is legit, quirky and strict as it may sound, it puts you in a position of disadvantage by deviating from expected standards: for example, in those situations where a certain number of letters of recommendations are required to move forward.
    You run the risk of not being short-listed, if the first pass is done bureaucratically, or of attracting more questions if you pass the first round.
    The latter is not bad in and of itself, once you are able to pitch and detail what you have been able to do during your previous study: this is a valuable skill to train at any rate.



    The curious thing is that, if I had cast an interested eye on non-standard application and had still been hesitating about your storytelling, I would be inclined to make contact with your professor to ask for more information. Then, should your professor not change his position in the meantime, another option is to ask him if you can share his contact details in your future applications for giving his feedback orally as the need arises. In lieu of the said letter, you can attach a sheet with "Professor X of institution Y ... prefers to be contacted directly at ...". At least you work around positions of principle and personal quirks proactively and reduce the risk of being short-listed in the name of raw numbers.



    In the end, the important thing is that people get to know, and recognize themselves, that you are a fine candidate for what's at stake next.






    share|improve this answer


































      1
















      You can't make someone recommend you, and even if you could, a letter that says "I acknowledge that BBBB was present in my lab..." is not going to do you any favors.



      Someone's passion and aptitude for research can be judged in many ways: class projects, in-class and informal discussions, and teaching/mentoring others can all speak to your prospects as a researcher. So, this policy is crazy, especially for undergrads who cannot reasonably be expected to produce three papers in three different labs in three years. Nevertheless, you're stuck with it.



      As an alternative, I suggest finding a replacemend and asking them, or one of your other letter writers to



      • mention your work with the recalcitrant prof and

      • explain the recalcirant prof's policy.

      This avoids a conspicuous absence of a letter from someone with whom you've worked closely, and might apply some much-needed peer-pressure to the prof too.






      share|improve this answer






















      • 2





        It's unclear where you get the idea that people would need three letters of recommendation to apply for a master's program.

        – Maeher
        8 hours ago






      • 4





        @Maeher: From graduate programs saying three letters are required? E.g. cs.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/… (Sorry, I know CS there, would have to dig a little more for EE, but they're comparable)

        – Phil Miller
        8 hours ago











      • OP clarified he is not from the US, and it is unclear if he is applying there.

        – Dilworth
        8 hours ago






      • 1





        @AlwaysConfused, I'm...confused about how this relates.

        – Matt
        5 hours ago






      • 1





        I'm not suggesting skipping a required letter altogether, just that they ask one of the willing recommenders to address this gap.

        – Matt
        5 hours ago



















      0
















      I had very similar experiences when multiple professors refused to provide me recommendation letters. Including those who provided various good words about me. They gave a lot of excuses, such as they think i was a good student but since i did very bad score in masters degree and certain research entrance competitive exams so the evidence do not reflect that goodness.
      (But in fact the purpose of recommendation letter is originally opposite, it is to measure the research qualities that do not reflect in an exam).



      Unfortunately the recommendation letter system is often not used as it was intended for. Instead it is misused or abused. I must not generalise, but yes it is seemingly misused sometimes. Recommendation letters or forms should be used to convey the psychological insight. But unfortunately it sometimes become a battlefield of authoritative power-play, where the academia suppresses the student to be blindly obedient to the teacher to get a dazzling recommendation letter, and to a more freethinking student, the career can often be down on a "blink of eye" of professors, guides, seniors etc. So sometimes the recommendation letters tend to contain false or unknowingly wrong informations.



      Also presumably many recommendation letters are not read in details. Because in an advertisement for Ph.D. admission a lot of (50, 100, 500, 1000 or more) applications arrive and a very little number of people having a versatile mentality checks those applications, and most of the applications are speedily rejected since they will fund for a very little number (usually 1 to 25) of positions. Sometimes recommendation letters written in a very mean way such as "candidate X worked in our lab for Y years, (s)he is honest, hardworking, sincere, intelligent, blah blah" as used to be in schoolday character certificate. They seemingly look for a signature and an institutional stamp. They often check for reputation and influence of the referee, and the interpersonal or inter-institutional rapport with the referee. Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role in the weightage to select the candidate, most of the recommendation process done through phone calls, in-person meetings, pannelling systems and bargaining. This is unfair, but this is real and unavoidable, it cannot yet be officially prevented, given the authority bears huge power and ego.



      Also, another factor that prevents a professor from write a recommendation letter is; to writing a recommendation letter poses a risk or threat of responsibility to oneself (the referee professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter say for example a the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they might think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk on oneself; omly then application could be done.



      ..............................



      In conditions your guide refuse to write the recommendation letter, ask other professors, ask more open minded teachers to give recommendation letter. even go to your earlier academia such as college and school. Make the issue open up. Explain why a recommendation letter is necessary for you. Carefully read brochure of your target institute that if they specifically mentions who can be your referee. If they does not specifically mention it, I think it is technically okay to take recommendation from your older academia such as your college teachers.



      At the same time, you need to personally meet Ph. D. supervisors if it is legally allowed (in some academia it leads to disqualification as they call it "canvassing" whereas in some other places it is legal to just take an appointment and having a conversation). However it is difficult or impossible if the target institute is on another country, but still you may communicate using E-mails and video chat sessions. Explain them your specific problem with collecting recommendation letter and whether they can select you based on other available information about you.






      share|improve this answer



























      • You make a lot of claims, and in my experience some of them are false, at least in North America. For example: "Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role [...] most of the recommendation process done through phone calls [...]". In my institution (and other big universities in the US and Canada) recommendations over the phone are not a thing, and the recommendation letters are one of the most important and most carefully read parts of an application. Also profs that I know are not particularly scared to write letters, they just don't like to write bad letters.

        – Sasho Nikolov
        59 mins ago


















      0
















      Am I alone in thinking this sounds like a not-so-subtle suggestion to write a research paper with your professor?



      You've been working in his research lab for a year, do you have any results? You could write them up and show him. If you don't have any results, maybe discuss with him what he might want to write about with you.



      He may not need your paper to be published, submitted, or even fully completed in order to write your letter. An "in preparation" paper may be good enough. It demonstrates that you're a self-starter in the research sphere, which is necessary for a PhD. Also, if it looks like the paper has a good trajectory and he will be getting a publication out of it, then there's something in it for him to support you.






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        9 Answers
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        active

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        73

















        I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable




        My personal opinion is that if you worked in his lab for a year (satisfactorily), it is unreasonable to refuse a letter. All the more so if you had other good interactions (TAing, etc.) with him.




        and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation!




        Unfortunately, my opinion counts for absolutely nothing. You cannot force this professor to write you a letter, and would be unwise to try. All you can do is find someone else. Preferably someone who can comment on your research, or at least someone who can confirm that your advisor almost never writes letters for undergrads (i.e., vouching that the lack of a letter from your advisor should not reflect poorly on you).






        share|improve this answer




















        • 5





          It's the professor's recommendations. He is free to decide to whom he should give them. If every student got a recommendation, then they would become worthless

          – David
          7 hours ago











        • That little "satisfactorily" adverb is rather the whole argument though isn't it? Apparently being in this profs lab for a year with no paper to show for it is not satisfactory. Certainly a high standard of course.

          – A Simple Algorithm
          6 hours ago






        • 4





          You also absolutely do not want any "recommendation" letter that is won through coercion.

          – Alex Reinking
          5 hours ago











        • @AlexReinking That's what this answer already says.

          – Bryan Krause
          4 hours ago











        • @Bryan Krause It hints at it with "it would be unwise to try" but nowhere else. I am adding emphasis to this important point.

          – Alex Reinking
          4 hours ago















        73

















        I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable




        My personal opinion is that if you worked in his lab for a year (satisfactorily), it is unreasonable to refuse a letter. All the more so if you had other good interactions (TAing, etc.) with him.




        and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation!




        Unfortunately, my opinion counts for absolutely nothing. You cannot force this professor to write you a letter, and would be unwise to try. All you can do is find someone else. Preferably someone who can comment on your research, or at least someone who can confirm that your advisor almost never writes letters for undergrads (i.e., vouching that the lack of a letter from your advisor should not reflect poorly on you).






        share|improve this answer




















        • 5





          It's the professor's recommendations. He is free to decide to whom he should give them. If every student got a recommendation, then they would become worthless

          – David
          7 hours ago











        • That little "satisfactorily" adverb is rather the whole argument though isn't it? Apparently being in this profs lab for a year with no paper to show for it is not satisfactory. Certainly a high standard of course.

          – A Simple Algorithm
          6 hours ago






        • 4





          You also absolutely do not want any "recommendation" letter that is won through coercion.

          – Alex Reinking
          5 hours ago











        • @AlexReinking That's what this answer already says.

          – Bryan Krause
          4 hours ago











        • @Bryan Krause It hints at it with "it would be unwise to try" but nowhere else. I am adding emphasis to this important point.

          – Alex Reinking
          4 hours ago













        73














        73










        73










        I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable




        My personal opinion is that if you worked in his lab for a year (satisfactorily), it is unreasonable to refuse a letter. All the more so if you had other good interactions (TAing, etc.) with him.




        and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation!




        Unfortunately, my opinion counts for absolutely nothing. You cannot force this professor to write you a letter, and would be unwise to try. All you can do is find someone else. Preferably someone who can comment on your research, or at least someone who can confirm that your advisor almost never writes letters for undergrads (i.e., vouching that the lack of a letter from your advisor should not reflect poorly on you).






        share|improve this answer














        I wanted to ask whether his refusal for recommendation letters is reasonable




        My personal opinion is that if you worked in his lab for a year (satisfactorily), it is unreasonable to refuse a letter. All the more so if you had other good interactions (TAing, etc.) with him.




        and also ask for some advice on how to handle this situation!




        Unfortunately, my opinion counts for absolutely nothing. You cannot force this professor to write you a letter, and would be unwise to try. All you can do is find someone else. Preferably someone who can comment on your research, or at least someone who can confirm that your advisor almost never writes letters for undergrads (i.e., vouching that the lack of a letter from your advisor should not reflect poorly on you).







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 23 hours ago









        cag51cag51

        23.2k9 gold badges53 silver badges87 bronze badges




        23.2k9 gold badges53 silver badges87 bronze badges










        • 5





          It's the professor's recommendations. He is free to decide to whom he should give them. If every student got a recommendation, then they would become worthless

          – David
          7 hours ago











        • That little "satisfactorily" adverb is rather the whole argument though isn't it? Apparently being in this profs lab for a year with no paper to show for it is not satisfactory. Certainly a high standard of course.

          – A Simple Algorithm
          6 hours ago






        • 4





          You also absolutely do not want any "recommendation" letter that is won through coercion.

          – Alex Reinking
          5 hours ago











        • @AlexReinking That's what this answer already says.

          – Bryan Krause
          4 hours ago











        • @Bryan Krause It hints at it with "it would be unwise to try" but nowhere else. I am adding emphasis to this important point.

          – Alex Reinking
          4 hours ago












        • 5





          It's the professor's recommendations. He is free to decide to whom he should give them. If every student got a recommendation, then they would become worthless

          – David
          7 hours ago











        • That little "satisfactorily" adverb is rather the whole argument though isn't it? Apparently being in this profs lab for a year with no paper to show for it is not satisfactory. Certainly a high standard of course.

          – A Simple Algorithm
          6 hours ago






        • 4





          You also absolutely do not want any "recommendation" letter that is won through coercion.

          – Alex Reinking
          5 hours ago











        • @AlexReinking That's what this answer already says.

          – Bryan Krause
          4 hours ago











        • @Bryan Krause It hints at it with "it would be unwise to try" but nowhere else. I am adding emphasis to this important point.

          – Alex Reinking
          4 hours ago







        5




        5





        It's the professor's recommendations. He is free to decide to whom he should give them. If every student got a recommendation, then they would become worthless

        – David
        7 hours ago





        It's the professor's recommendations. He is free to decide to whom he should give them. If every student got a recommendation, then they would become worthless

        – David
        7 hours ago













        That little "satisfactorily" adverb is rather the whole argument though isn't it? Apparently being in this profs lab for a year with no paper to show for it is not satisfactory. Certainly a high standard of course.

        – A Simple Algorithm
        6 hours ago





        That little "satisfactorily" adverb is rather the whole argument though isn't it? Apparently being in this profs lab for a year with no paper to show for it is not satisfactory. Certainly a high standard of course.

        – A Simple Algorithm
        6 hours ago




        4




        4





        You also absolutely do not want any "recommendation" letter that is won through coercion.

        – Alex Reinking
        5 hours ago





        You also absolutely do not want any "recommendation" letter that is won through coercion.

        – Alex Reinking
        5 hours ago













        @AlexReinking That's what this answer already says.

        – Bryan Krause
        4 hours ago





        @AlexReinking That's what this answer already says.

        – Bryan Krause
        4 hours ago













        @Bryan Krause It hints at it with "it would be unwise to try" but nowhere else. I am adding emphasis to this important point.

        – Alex Reinking
        4 hours ago





        @Bryan Krause It hints at it with "it would be unwise to try" but nowhere else. I am adding emphasis to this important point.

        – Alex Reinking
        4 hours ago













        36
















        We cannot say if they are reasonable. We only know the details you provide and, moreover, we are not judges.



        But this is the wrong question. Why should it matter for you if we say the prof is reasonable or not? There are many unreasonable people in the world. Among those there are professors, students, astronauts, beggars, social workers, farmers,.. with one word: everyone.
        So don't ask whether they are reasonable. The answer does not help you.



        How to handle this: Ask another prof if available.






        share|improve this answer










        New contributor



        user112604 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.
















        • 15





          But, yes, it is ungenerous and unhelpful, in any case.

          – paul garrett
          yesterday






        • 3





          It is not helpful to the OP, but it is helpful to some other students: his PhD students will get a letter that will be more appreciated than other prof's letters apparently, because this professor takes his letters very seriously.

          – Dilworth
          yesterday







        • 12





          @Dilworth: Either very seriously or he just avoids work whenever possible.

          – user112604
          16 hours ago






        • 3





          @Dilworth, the professor--and his policy--would both need to be very well known for that to have any appreciable effect.

          – Matt
          9 hours ago






        • 5





          If this policy is well-known, it's likely this professor will have trouble attracting undergraduates to TA or do lab work for him in the future. This guy should also be up front about his policy so students can choose whether they should do extra work for him, or for somebody who will be willing to give them a minor assist in their grad school applications.

          – The Photon
          6 hours ago
















        36
















        We cannot say if they are reasonable. We only know the details you provide and, moreover, we are not judges.



        But this is the wrong question. Why should it matter for you if we say the prof is reasonable or not? There are many unreasonable people in the world. Among those there are professors, students, astronauts, beggars, social workers, farmers,.. with one word: everyone.
        So don't ask whether they are reasonable. The answer does not help you.



        How to handle this: Ask another prof if available.






        share|improve this answer










        New contributor



        user112604 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.
















        • 15





          But, yes, it is ungenerous and unhelpful, in any case.

          – paul garrett
          yesterday






        • 3





          It is not helpful to the OP, but it is helpful to some other students: his PhD students will get a letter that will be more appreciated than other prof's letters apparently, because this professor takes his letters very seriously.

          – Dilworth
          yesterday







        • 12





          @Dilworth: Either very seriously or he just avoids work whenever possible.

          – user112604
          16 hours ago






        • 3





          @Dilworth, the professor--and his policy--would both need to be very well known for that to have any appreciable effect.

          – Matt
          9 hours ago






        • 5





          If this policy is well-known, it's likely this professor will have trouble attracting undergraduates to TA or do lab work for him in the future. This guy should also be up front about his policy so students can choose whether they should do extra work for him, or for somebody who will be willing to give them a minor assist in their grad school applications.

          – The Photon
          6 hours ago














        36














        36










        36









        We cannot say if they are reasonable. We only know the details you provide and, moreover, we are not judges.



        But this is the wrong question. Why should it matter for you if we say the prof is reasonable or not? There are many unreasonable people in the world. Among those there are professors, students, astronauts, beggars, social workers, farmers,.. with one word: everyone.
        So don't ask whether they are reasonable. The answer does not help you.



        How to handle this: Ask another prof if available.






        share|improve this answer










        New contributor



        user112604 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        We cannot say if they are reasonable. We only know the details you provide and, moreover, we are not judges.



        But this is the wrong question. Why should it matter for you if we say the prof is reasonable or not? There are many unreasonable people in the world. Among those there are professors, students, astronauts, beggars, social workers, farmers,.. with one word: everyone.
        So don't ask whether they are reasonable. The answer does not help you.



        How to handle this: Ask another prof if available.







        share|improve this answer










        New contributor



        user112604 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.








        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 19 hours ago









        Massimo Ortolano

        41.8k14 gold badges125 silver badges156 bronze badges




        41.8k14 gold badges125 silver badges156 bronze badges






        New contributor



        user112604 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.








        answered yesterday









        user112604user112604

        3111 silver badge4 bronze badges




        3111 silver badge4 bronze badges




        New contributor



        user112604 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.




        New contributor




        user112604 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.












        • 15





          But, yes, it is ungenerous and unhelpful, in any case.

          – paul garrett
          yesterday






        • 3





          It is not helpful to the OP, but it is helpful to some other students: his PhD students will get a letter that will be more appreciated than other prof's letters apparently, because this professor takes his letters very seriously.

          – Dilworth
          yesterday







        • 12





          @Dilworth: Either very seriously or he just avoids work whenever possible.

          – user112604
          16 hours ago






        • 3





          @Dilworth, the professor--and his policy--would both need to be very well known for that to have any appreciable effect.

          – Matt
          9 hours ago






        • 5





          If this policy is well-known, it's likely this professor will have trouble attracting undergraduates to TA or do lab work for him in the future. This guy should also be up front about his policy so students can choose whether they should do extra work for him, or for somebody who will be willing to give them a minor assist in their grad school applications.

          – The Photon
          6 hours ago













        • 15





          But, yes, it is ungenerous and unhelpful, in any case.

          – paul garrett
          yesterday






        • 3





          It is not helpful to the OP, but it is helpful to some other students: his PhD students will get a letter that will be more appreciated than other prof's letters apparently, because this professor takes his letters very seriously.

          – Dilworth
          yesterday







        • 12





          @Dilworth: Either very seriously or he just avoids work whenever possible.

          – user112604
          16 hours ago






        • 3





          @Dilworth, the professor--and his policy--would both need to be very well known for that to have any appreciable effect.

          – Matt
          9 hours ago






        • 5





          If this policy is well-known, it's likely this professor will have trouble attracting undergraduates to TA or do lab work for him in the future. This guy should also be up front about his policy so students can choose whether they should do extra work for him, or for somebody who will be willing to give them a minor assist in their grad school applications.

          – The Photon
          6 hours ago








        15




        15





        But, yes, it is ungenerous and unhelpful, in any case.

        – paul garrett
        yesterday





        But, yes, it is ungenerous and unhelpful, in any case.

        – paul garrett
        yesterday




        3




        3





        It is not helpful to the OP, but it is helpful to some other students: his PhD students will get a letter that will be more appreciated than other prof's letters apparently, because this professor takes his letters very seriously.

        – Dilworth
        yesterday






        It is not helpful to the OP, but it is helpful to some other students: his PhD students will get a letter that will be more appreciated than other prof's letters apparently, because this professor takes his letters very seriously.

        – Dilworth
        yesterday





        12




        12





        @Dilworth: Either very seriously or he just avoids work whenever possible.

        – user112604
        16 hours ago





        @Dilworth: Either very seriously or he just avoids work whenever possible.

        – user112604
        16 hours ago




        3




        3





        @Dilworth, the professor--and his policy--would both need to be very well known for that to have any appreciable effect.

        – Matt
        9 hours ago





        @Dilworth, the professor--and his policy--would both need to be very well known for that to have any appreciable effect.

        – Matt
        9 hours ago




        5




        5





        If this policy is well-known, it's likely this professor will have trouble attracting undergraduates to TA or do lab work for him in the future. This guy should also be up front about his policy so students can choose whether they should do extra work for him, or for somebody who will be willing to give them a minor assist in their grad school applications.

        – The Photon
        6 hours ago






        If this policy is well-known, it's likely this professor will have trouble attracting undergraduates to TA or do lab work for him in the future. This guy should also be up front about his policy so students can choose whether they should do extra work for him, or for somebody who will be willing to give them a minor assist in their grad school applications.

        – The Photon
        6 hours ago












        12
















        The policy to write recommendation letters only for undergraduate students you co-authored with is not reasonable (or common).



        Suppose for a moment that all professors adopted this policy. A typical grad school application requires three recommendation letters. If professors provided reference letters only to co-authors, this essentially means that an undergraduate would need to have written three papers to obtain the required three recommendation letters. I know of no fields in which that would not be an extremely rare occurence.



        Of course, everybody has the right to decide who they write recommendation letters for. However, as a professor you also have the responsibility to do your part in the recommendation letter writing process. By adopting such a restrictive policy, you are essentially off-loading this responsibility on other professors. This makes such a policy very selfish and egocentrical.






        share|improve this answer




















        • 1





          i think writing a recommendation letter is not off-loading but on-loading of responsibility to oneself (the professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter particularly if the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk omly then application could be done.

          – Always Confused
          5 hours ago











        • The student is not from the US and you seem to assume erroneously that he is.

          – Dilworth
          2 hours ago















        12
















        The policy to write recommendation letters only for undergraduate students you co-authored with is not reasonable (or common).



        Suppose for a moment that all professors adopted this policy. A typical grad school application requires three recommendation letters. If professors provided reference letters only to co-authors, this essentially means that an undergraduate would need to have written three papers to obtain the required three recommendation letters. I know of no fields in which that would not be an extremely rare occurence.



        Of course, everybody has the right to decide who they write recommendation letters for. However, as a professor you also have the responsibility to do your part in the recommendation letter writing process. By adopting such a restrictive policy, you are essentially off-loading this responsibility on other professors. This makes such a policy very selfish and egocentrical.






        share|improve this answer




















        • 1





          i think writing a recommendation letter is not off-loading but on-loading of responsibility to oneself (the professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter particularly if the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk omly then application could be done.

          – Always Confused
          5 hours ago











        • The student is not from the US and you seem to assume erroneously that he is.

          – Dilworth
          2 hours ago













        12














        12










        12









        The policy to write recommendation letters only for undergraduate students you co-authored with is not reasonable (or common).



        Suppose for a moment that all professors adopted this policy. A typical grad school application requires three recommendation letters. If professors provided reference letters only to co-authors, this essentially means that an undergraduate would need to have written three papers to obtain the required three recommendation letters. I know of no fields in which that would not be an extremely rare occurence.



        Of course, everybody has the right to decide who they write recommendation letters for. However, as a professor you also have the responsibility to do your part in the recommendation letter writing process. By adopting such a restrictive policy, you are essentially off-loading this responsibility on other professors. This makes such a policy very selfish and egocentrical.






        share|improve this answer













        The policy to write recommendation letters only for undergraduate students you co-authored with is not reasonable (or common).



        Suppose for a moment that all professors adopted this policy. A typical grad school application requires three recommendation letters. If professors provided reference letters only to co-authors, this essentially means that an undergraduate would need to have written three papers to obtain the required three recommendation letters. I know of no fields in which that would not be an extremely rare occurence.



        Of course, everybody has the right to decide who they write recommendation letters for. However, as a professor you also have the responsibility to do your part in the recommendation letter writing process. By adopting such a restrictive policy, you are essentially off-loading this responsibility on other professors. This makes such a policy very selfish and egocentrical.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 17 hours ago









        mmeentmmeent

        9749 bronze badges




        9749 bronze badges










        • 1





          i think writing a recommendation letter is not off-loading but on-loading of responsibility to oneself (the professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter particularly if the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk omly then application could be done.

          – Always Confused
          5 hours ago











        • The student is not from the US and you seem to assume erroneously that he is.

          – Dilworth
          2 hours ago












        • 1





          i think writing a recommendation letter is not off-loading but on-loading of responsibility to oneself (the professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter particularly if the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk omly then application could be done.

          – Always Confused
          5 hours ago











        • The student is not from the US and you seem to assume erroneously that he is.

          – Dilworth
          2 hours ago







        1




        1





        i think writing a recommendation letter is not off-loading but on-loading of responsibility to oneself (the professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter particularly if the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk omly then application could be done.

        – Always Confused
        5 hours ago





        i think writing a recommendation letter is not off-loading but on-loading of responsibility to oneself (the professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter particularly if the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk omly then application could be done.

        – Always Confused
        5 hours ago













        The student is not from the US and you seem to assume erroneously that he is.

        – Dilworth
        2 hours ago





        The student is not from the US and you seem to assume erroneously that he is.

        – Dilworth
        2 hours ago











        12
















        Yes, the refusal seems reasonable in general. The professor is the one who should decide who he writes reference letters to, and if he has a policy of providing letters only to collaborators that is his right. Though unfriendly to undergraduate, it does have some merit: his letters can be trusted to a very high degree.



        It is also possible that the professor does not think he can provide you with a strong letter. He already saw you in his lab, and may have not formed a positive view of your achievements at this stage. He may try politely to avoid the need to say this to you hiding behind other excuses. He may have suggested you become his master's student since he believes you are about to decline, or since he genuinely wishes to give you a second chance to prove yourself.



        More importantly: any kind of hesitation from a potential reference letter writer should be an immediate warning sign that the person may not give you a good letter.



        Conclusion: find another professor.



        Important note: The OP has clarified that "Direct PhDs are not possible in my country." This means the OP is not from the US. Therefore, the Professor may not be accustomed to providing undergrads letters, only master's students, making the case even stronger for the professor to refuse a letter.






        share|improve this answer



























        • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

          – StrongBad
          7 hours ago















        12
















        Yes, the refusal seems reasonable in general. The professor is the one who should decide who he writes reference letters to, and if he has a policy of providing letters only to collaborators that is his right. Though unfriendly to undergraduate, it does have some merit: his letters can be trusted to a very high degree.



        It is also possible that the professor does not think he can provide you with a strong letter. He already saw you in his lab, and may have not formed a positive view of your achievements at this stage. He may try politely to avoid the need to say this to you hiding behind other excuses. He may have suggested you become his master's student since he believes you are about to decline, or since he genuinely wishes to give you a second chance to prove yourself.



        More importantly: any kind of hesitation from a potential reference letter writer should be an immediate warning sign that the person may not give you a good letter.



        Conclusion: find another professor.



        Important note: The OP has clarified that "Direct PhDs are not possible in my country." This means the OP is not from the US. Therefore, the Professor may not be accustomed to providing undergrads letters, only master's students, making the case even stronger for the professor to refuse a letter.






        share|improve this answer



























        • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

          – StrongBad
          7 hours ago













        12














        12










        12









        Yes, the refusal seems reasonable in general. The professor is the one who should decide who he writes reference letters to, and if he has a policy of providing letters only to collaborators that is his right. Though unfriendly to undergraduate, it does have some merit: his letters can be trusted to a very high degree.



        It is also possible that the professor does not think he can provide you with a strong letter. He already saw you in his lab, and may have not formed a positive view of your achievements at this stage. He may try politely to avoid the need to say this to you hiding behind other excuses. He may have suggested you become his master's student since he believes you are about to decline, or since he genuinely wishes to give you a second chance to prove yourself.



        More importantly: any kind of hesitation from a potential reference letter writer should be an immediate warning sign that the person may not give you a good letter.



        Conclusion: find another professor.



        Important note: The OP has clarified that "Direct PhDs are not possible in my country." This means the OP is not from the US. Therefore, the Professor may not be accustomed to providing undergrads letters, only master's students, making the case even stronger for the professor to refuse a letter.






        share|improve this answer















        Yes, the refusal seems reasonable in general. The professor is the one who should decide who he writes reference letters to, and if he has a policy of providing letters only to collaborators that is his right. Though unfriendly to undergraduate, it does have some merit: his letters can be trusted to a very high degree.



        It is also possible that the professor does not think he can provide you with a strong letter. He already saw you in his lab, and may have not formed a positive view of your achievements at this stage. He may try politely to avoid the need to say this to you hiding behind other excuses. He may have suggested you become his master's student since he believes you are about to decline, or since he genuinely wishes to give you a second chance to prove yourself.



        More importantly: any kind of hesitation from a potential reference letter writer should be an immediate warning sign that the person may not give you a good letter.



        Conclusion: find another professor.



        Important note: The OP has clarified that "Direct PhDs are not possible in my country." This means the OP is not from the US. Therefore, the Professor may not be accustomed to providing undergrads letters, only master's students, making the case even stronger for the professor to refuse a letter.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 2 hours ago

























        answered yesterday









        DilworthDilworth

        4,23914 silver badges24 bronze badges




        4,23914 silver badges24 bronze badges















        • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

          – StrongBad
          7 hours ago

















        • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

          – StrongBad
          7 hours ago
















        Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

        – StrongBad
        7 hours ago





        Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.

        – StrongBad
        7 hours ago











        9
















        I recommend not limiting your options. Since as you said, you are the top ranked student in your department, finding another teacher who's willing to write you a good recommendation letter shouldn't be that hard. If course it only makes sense to seek someone who you know can write you a good letter that helps your cause.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor



        Issam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.

























          9
















          I recommend not limiting your options. Since as you said, you are the top ranked student in your department, finding another teacher who's willing to write you a good recommendation letter shouldn't be that hard. If course it only makes sense to seek someone who you know can write you a good letter that helps your cause.






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor



          Issam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.























            9














            9










            9









            I recommend not limiting your options. Since as you said, you are the top ranked student in your department, finding another teacher who's willing to write you a good recommendation letter shouldn't be that hard. If course it only makes sense to seek someone who you know can write you a good letter that helps your cause.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor



            Issam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            I recommend not limiting your options. Since as you said, you are the top ranked student in your department, finding another teacher who's willing to write you a good recommendation letter shouldn't be that hard. If course it only makes sense to seek someone who you know can write you a good letter that helps your cause.







            share|improve this answer








            New contributor



            Issam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.








            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer






            New contributor



            Issam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.








            answered yesterday









            IssamIssam

            911 bronze badge




            911 bronze badge




            New contributor



            Issam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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            New contributor




            Issam is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.


























                5
















                You could ask for a letter of evaluation, i.e. a one-page description of what you have done during your collaboration, instead of a letter of recommendation.



                Although your professor's stand is legit, quirky and strict as it may sound, it puts you in a position of disadvantage by deviating from expected standards: for example, in those situations where a certain number of letters of recommendations are required to move forward.
                You run the risk of not being short-listed, if the first pass is done bureaucratically, or of attracting more questions if you pass the first round.
                The latter is not bad in and of itself, once you are able to pitch and detail what you have been able to do during your previous study: this is a valuable skill to train at any rate.



                The curious thing is that, if I had cast an interested eye on non-standard application and had still been hesitating about your storytelling, I would be inclined to make contact with your professor to ask for more information. Then, should your professor not change his position in the meantime, another option is to ask him if you can share his contact details in your future applications for giving his feedback orally as the need arises. In lieu of the said letter, you can attach a sheet with "Professor X of institution Y ... prefers to be contacted directly at ...". At least you work around positions of principle and personal quirks proactively and reduce the risk of being short-listed in the name of raw numbers.



                In the end, the important thing is that people get to know, and recognize themselves, that you are a fine candidate for what's at stake next.






                share|improve this answer































                  5
















                  You could ask for a letter of evaluation, i.e. a one-page description of what you have done during your collaboration, instead of a letter of recommendation.



                  Although your professor's stand is legit, quirky and strict as it may sound, it puts you in a position of disadvantage by deviating from expected standards: for example, in those situations where a certain number of letters of recommendations are required to move forward.
                  You run the risk of not being short-listed, if the first pass is done bureaucratically, or of attracting more questions if you pass the first round.
                  The latter is not bad in and of itself, once you are able to pitch and detail what you have been able to do during your previous study: this is a valuable skill to train at any rate.



                  The curious thing is that, if I had cast an interested eye on non-standard application and had still been hesitating about your storytelling, I would be inclined to make contact with your professor to ask for more information. Then, should your professor not change his position in the meantime, another option is to ask him if you can share his contact details in your future applications for giving his feedback orally as the need arises. In lieu of the said letter, you can attach a sheet with "Professor X of institution Y ... prefers to be contacted directly at ...". At least you work around positions of principle and personal quirks proactively and reduce the risk of being short-listed in the name of raw numbers.



                  In the end, the important thing is that people get to know, and recognize themselves, that you are a fine candidate for what's at stake next.






                  share|improve this answer





























                    5














                    5










                    5









                    You could ask for a letter of evaluation, i.e. a one-page description of what you have done during your collaboration, instead of a letter of recommendation.



                    Although your professor's stand is legit, quirky and strict as it may sound, it puts you in a position of disadvantage by deviating from expected standards: for example, in those situations where a certain number of letters of recommendations are required to move forward.
                    You run the risk of not being short-listed, if the first pass is done bureaucratically, or of attracting more questions if you pass the first round.
                    The latter is not bad in and of itself, once you are able to pitch and detail what you have been able to do during your previous study: this is a valuable skill to train at any rate.



                    The curious thing is that, if I had cast an interested eye on non-standard application and had still been hesitating about your storytelling, I would be inclined to make contact with your professor to ask for more information. Then, should your professor not change his position in the meantime, another option is to ask him if you can share his contact details in your future applications for giving his feedback orally as the need arises. In lieu of the said letter, you can attach a sheet with "Professor X of institution Y ... prefers to be contacted directly at ...". At least you work around positions of principle and personal quirks proactively and reduce the risk of being short-listed in the name of raw numbers.



                    In the end, the important thing is that people get to know, and recognize themselves, that you are a fine candidate for what's at stake next.






                    share|improve this answer















                    You could ask for a letter of evaluation, i.e. a one-page description of what you have done during your collaboration, instead of a letter of recommendation.



                    Although your professor's stand is legit, quirky and strict as it may sound, it puts you in a position of disadvantage by deviating from expected standards: for example, in those situations where a certain number of letters of recommendations are required to move forward.
                    You run the risk of not being short-listed, if the first pass is done bureaucratically, or of attracting more questions if you pass the first round.
                    The latter is not bad in and of itself, once you are able to pitch and detail what you have been able to do during your previous study: this is a valuable skill to train at any rate.



                    The curious thing is that, if I had cast an interested eye on non-standard application and had still been hesitating about your storytelling, I would be inclined to make contact with your professor to ask for more information. Then, should your professor not change his position in the meantime, another option is to ask him if you can share his contact details in your future applications for giving his feedback orally as the need arises. In lieu of the said letter, you can attach a sheet with "Professor X of institution Y ... prefers to be contacted directly at ...". At least you work around positions of principle and personal quirks proactively and reduce the risk of being short-listed in the name of raw numbers.



                    In the end, the important thing is that people get to know, and recognize themselves, that you are a fine candidate for what's at stake next.







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited 11 hours ago

























                    answered 12 hours ago









                    XavierStuvwXavierStuvw

                    5372 silver badges10 bronze badges




                    5372 silver badges10 bronze badges
























                        1
















                        You can't make someone recommend you, and even if you could, a letter that says "I acknowledge that BBBB was present in my lab..." is not going to do you any favors.



                        Someone's passion and aptitude for research can be judged in many ways: class projects, in-class and informal discussions, and teaching/mentoring others can all speak to your prospects as a researcher. So, this policy is crazy, especially for undergrads who cannot reasonably be expected to produce three papers in three different labs in three years. Nevertheless, you're stuck with it.



                        As an alternative, I suggest finding a replacemend and asking them, or one of your other letter writers to



                        • mention your work with the recalcitrant prof and

                        • explain the recalcirant prof's policy.

                        This avoids a conspicuous absence of a letter from someone with whom you've worked closely, and might apply some much-needed peer-pressure to the prof too.






                        share|improve this answer






















                        • 2





                          It's unclear where you get the idea that people would need three letters of recommendation to apply for a master's program.

                          – Maeher
                          8 hours ago






                        • 4





                          @Maeher: From graduate programs saying three letters are required? E.g. cs.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/… (Sorry, I know CS there, would have to dig a little more for EE, but they're comparable)

                          – Phil Miller
                          8 hours ago











                        • OP clarified he is not from the US, and it is unclear if he is applying there.

                          – Dilworth
                          8 hours ago






                        • 1





                          @AlwaysConfused, I'm...confused about how this relates.

                          – Matt
                          5 hours ago






                        • 1





                          I'm not suggesting skipping a required letter altogether, just that they ask one of the willing recommenders to address this gap.

                          – Matt
                          5 hours ago
















                        1
















                        You can't make someone recommend you, and even if you could, a letter that says "I acknowledge that BBBB was present in my lab..." is not going to do you any favors.



                        Someone's passion and aptitude for research can be judged in many ways: class projects, in-class and informal discussions, and teaching/mentoring others can all speak to your prospects as a researcher. So, this policy is crazy, especially for undergrads who cannot reasonably be expected to produce three papers in three different labs in three years. Nevertheless, you're stuck with it.



                        As an alternative, I suggest finding a replacemend and asking them, or one of your other letter writers to



                        • mention your work with the recalcitrant prof and

                        • explain the recalcirant prof's policy.

                        This avoids a conspicuous absence of a letter from someone with whom you've worked closely, and might apply some much-needed peer-pressure to the prof too.






                        share|improve this answer






















                        • 2





                          It's unclear where you get the idea that people would need three letters of recommendation to apply for a master's program.

                          – Maeher
                          8 hours ago






                        • 4





                          @Maeher: From graduate programs saying three letters are required? E.g. cs.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/… (Sorry, I know CS there, would have to dig a little more for EE, but they're comparable)

                          – Phil Miller
                          8 hours ago











                        • OP clarified he is not from the US, and it is unclear if he is applying there.

                          – Dilworth
                          8 hours ago






                        • 1





                          @AlwaysConfused, I'm...confused about how this relates.

                          – Matt
                          5 hours ago






                        • 1





                          I'm not suggesting skipping a required letter altogether, just that they ask one of the willing recommenders to address this gap.

                          – Matt
                          5 hours ago














                        1














                        1










                        1









                        You can't make someone recommend you, and even if you could, a letter that says "I acknowledge that BBBB was present in my lab..." is not going to do you any favors.



                        Someone's passion and aptitude for research can be judged in many ways: class projects, in-class and informal discussions, and teaching/mentoring others can all speak to your prospects as a researcher. So, this policy is crazy, especially for undergrads who cannot reasonably be expected to produce three papers in three different labs in three years. Nevertheless, you're stuck with it.



                        As an alternative, I suggest finding a replacemend and asking them, or one of your other letter writers to



                        • mention your work with the recalcitrant prof and

                        • explain the recalcirant prof's policy.

                        This avoids a conspicuous absence of a letter from someone with whom you've worked closely, and might apply some much-needed peer-pressure to the prof too.






                        share|improve this answer















                        You can't make someone recommend you, and even if you could, a letter that says "I acknowledge that BBBB was present in my lab..." is not going to do you any favors.



                        Someone's passion and aptitude for research can be judged in many ways: class projects, in-class and informal discussions, and teaching/mentoring others can all speak to your prospects as a researcher. So, this policy is crazy, especially for undergrads who cannot reasonably be expected to produce three papers in three different labs in three years. Nevertheless, you're stuck with it.



                        As an alternative, I suggest finding a replacemend and asking them, or one of your other letter writers to



                        • mention your work with the recalcitrant prof and

                        • explain the recalcirant prof's policy.

                        This avoids a conspicuous absence of a letter from someone with whom you've worked closely, and might apply some much-needed peer-pressure to the prof too.







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited 5 hours ago

























                        answered 8 hours ago









                        MattMatt

                        2,3101 gold badge11 silver badges15 bronze badges




                        2,3101 gold badge11 silver badges15 bronze badges










                        • 2





                          It's unclear where you get the idea that people would need three letters of recommendation to apply for a master's program.

                          – Maeher
                          8 hours ago






                        • 4





                          @Maeher: From graduate programs saying three letters are required? E.g. cs.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/… (Sorry, I know CS there, would have to dig a little more for EE, but they're comparable)

                          – Phil Miller
                          8 hours ago











                        • OP clarified he is not from the US, and it is unclear if he is applying there.

                          – Dilworth
                          8 hours ago






                        • 1





                          @AlwaysConfused, I'm...confused about how this relates.

                          – Matt
                          5 hours ago






                        • 1





                          I'm not suggesting skipping a required letter altogether, just that they ask one of the willing recommenders to address this gap.

                          – Matt
                          5 hours ago













                        • 2





                          It's unclear where you get the idea that people would need three letters of recommendation to apply for a master's program.

                          – Maeher
                          8 hours ago






                        • 4





                          @Maeher: From graduate programs saying three letters are required? E.g. cs.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/… (Sorry, I know CS there, would have to dig a little more for EE, but they're comparable)

                          – Phil Miller
                          8 hours ago











                        • OP clarified he is not from the US, and it is unclear if he is applying there.

                          – Dilworth
                          8 hours ago






                        • 1





                          @AlwaysConfused, I'm...confused about how this relates.

                          – Matt
                          5 hours ago






                        • 1





                          I'm not suggesting skipping a required letter altogether, just that they ask one of the willing recommenders to address this gap.

                          – Matt
                          5 hours ago








                        2




                        2





                        It's unclear where you get the idea that people would need three letters of recommendation to apply for a master's program.

                        – Maeher
                        8 hours ago





                        It's unclear where you get the idea that people would need three letters of recommendation to apply for a master's program.

                        – Maeher
                        8 hours ago




                        4




                        4





                        @Maeher: From graduate programs saying three letters are required? E.g. cs.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/… (Sorry, I know CS there, would have to dig a little more for EE, but they're comparable)

                        – Phil Miller
                        8 hours ago





                        @Maeher: From graduate programs saying three letters are required? E.g. cs.illinois.edu/admissions/graduate/… (Sorry, I know CS there, would have to dig a little more for EE, but they're comparable)

                        – Phil Miller
                        8 hours ago













                        OP clarified he is not from the US, and it is unclear if he is applying there.

                        – Dilworth
                        8 hours ago





                        OP clarified he is not from the US, and it is unclear if he is applying there.

                        – Dilworth
                        8 hours ago




                        1




                        1





                        @AlwaysConfused, I'm...confused about how this relates.

                        – Matt
                        5 hours ago





                        @AlwaysConfused, I'm...confused about how this relates.

                        – Matt
                        5 hours ago




                        1




                        1





                        I'm not suggesting skipping a required letter altogether, just that they ask one of the willing recommenders to address this gap.

                        – Matt
                        5 hours ago






                        I'm not suggesting skipping a required letter altogether, just that they ask one of the willing recommenders to address this gap.

                        – Matt
                        5 hours ago












                        0
















                        I had very similar experiences when multiple professors refused to provide me recommendation letters. Including those who provided various good words about me. They gave a lot of excuses, such as they think i was a good student but since i did very bad score in masters degree and certain research entrance competitive exams so the evidence do not reflect that goodness.
                        (But in fact the purpose of recommendation letter is originally opposite, it is to measure the research qualities that do not reflect in an exam).



                        Unfortunately the recommendation letter system is often not used as it was intended for. Instead it is misused or abused. I must not generalise, but yes it is seemingly misused sometimes. Recommendation letters or forms should be used to convey the psychological insight. But unfortunately it sometimes become a battlefield of authoritative power-play, where the academia suppresses the student to be blindly obedient to the teacher to get a dazzling recommendation letter, and to a more freethinking student, the career can often be down on a "blink of eye" of professors, guides, seniors etc. So sometimes the recommendation letters tend to contain false or unknowingly wrong informations.



                        Also presumably many recommendation letters are not read in details. Because in an advertisement for Ph.D. admission a lot of (50, 100, 500, 1000 or more) applications arrive and a very little number of people having a versatile mentality checks those applications, and most of the applications are speedily rejected since they will fund for a very little number (usually 1 to 25) of positions. Sometimes recommendation letters written in a very mean way such as "candidate X worked in our lab for Y years, (s)he is honest, hardworking, sincere, intelligent, blah blah" as used to be in schoolday character certificate. They seemingly look for a signature and an institutional stamp. They often check for reputation and influence of the referee, and the interpersonal or inter-institutional rapport with the referee. Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role in the weightage to select the candidate, most of the recommendation process done through phone calls, in-person meetings, pannelling systems and bargaining. This is unfair, but this is real and unavoidable, it cannot yet be officially prevented, given the authority bears huge power and ego.



                        Also, another factor that prevents a professor from write a recommendation letter is; to writing a recommendation letter poses a risk or threat of responsibility to oneself (the referee professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter say for example a the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they might think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk on oneself; omly then application could be done.



                        ..............................



                        In conditions your guide refuse to write the recommendation letter, ask other professors, ask more open minded teachers to give recommendation letter. even go to your earlier academia such as college and school. Make the issue open up. Explain why a recommendation letter is necessary for you. Carefully read brochure of your target institute that if they specifically mentions who can be your referee. If they does not specifically mention it, I think it is technically okay to take recommendation from your older academia such as your college teachers.



                        At the same time, you need to personally meet Ph. D. supervisors if it is legally allowed (in some academia it leads to disqualification as they call it "canvassing" whereas in some other places it is legal to just take an appointment and having a conversation). However it is difficult or impossible if the target institute is on another country, but still you may communicate using E-mails and video chat sessions. Explain them your specific problem with collecting recommendation letter and whether they can select you based on other available information about you.






                        share|improve this answer



























                        • You make a lot of claims, and in my experience some of them are false, at least in North America. For example: "Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role [...] most of the recommendation process done through phone calls [...]". In my institution (and other big universities in the US and Canada) recommendations over the phone are not a thing, and the recommendation letters are one of the most important and most carefully read parts of an application. Also profs that I know are not particularly scared to write letters, they just don't like to write bad letters.

                          – Sasho Nikolov
                          59 mins ago















                        0
















                        I had very similar experiences when multiple professors refused to provide me recommendation letters. Including those who provided various good words about me. They gave a lot of excuses, such as they think i was a good student but since i did very bad score in masters degree and certain research entrance competitive exams so the evidence do not reflect that goodness.
                        (But in fact the purpose of recommendation letter is originally opposite, it is to measure the research qualities that do not reflect in an exam).



                        Unfortunately the recommendation letter system is often not used as it was intended for. Instead it is misused or abused. I must not generalise, but yes it is seemingly misused sometimes. Recommendation letters or forms should be used to convey the psychological insight. But unfortunately it sometimes become a battlefield of authoritative power-play, where the academia suppresses the student to be blindly obedient to the teacher to get a dazzling recommendation letter, and to a more freethinking student, the career can often be down on a "blink of eye" of professors, guides, seniors etc. So sometimes the recommendation letters tend to contain false or unknowingly wrong informations.



                        Also presumably many recommendation letters are not read in details. Because in an advertisement for Ph.D. admission a lot of (50, 100, 500, 1000 or more) applications arrive and a very little number of people having a versatile mentality checks those applications, and most of the applications are speedily rejected since they will fund for a very little number (usually 1 to 25) of positions. Sometimes recommendation letters written in a very mean way such as "candidate X worked in our lab for Y years, (s)he is honest, hardworking, sincere, intelligent, blah blah" as used to be in schoolday character certificate. They seemingly look for a signature and an institutional stamp. They often check for reputation and influence of the referee, and the interpersonal or inter-institutional rapport with the referee. Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role in the weightage to select the candidate, most of the recommendation process done through phone calls, in-person meetings, pannelling systems and bargaining. This is unfair, but this is real and unavoidable, it cannot yet be officially prevented, given the authority bears huge power and ego.



                        Also, another factor that prevents a professor from write a recommendation letter is; to writing a recommendation letter poses a risk or threat of responsibility to oneself (the referee professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter say for example a the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they might think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk on oneself; omly then application could be done.



                        ..............................



                        In conditions your guide refuse to write the recommendation letter, ask other professors, ask more open minded teachers to give recommendation letter. even go to your earlier academia such as college and school. Make the issue open up. Explain why a recommendation letter is necessary for you. Carefully read brochure of your target institute that if they specifically mentions who can be your referee. If they does not specifically mention it, I think it is technically okay to take recommendation from your older academia such as your college teachers.



                        At the same time, you need to personally meet Ph. D. supervisors if it is legally allowed (in some academia it leads to disqualification as they call it "canvassing" whereas in some other places it is legal to just take an appointment and having a conversation). However it is difficult or impossible if the target institute is on another country, but still you may communicate using E-mails and video chat sessions. Explain them your specific problem with collecting recommendation letter and whether they can select you based on other available information about you.






                        share|improve this answer



























                        • You make a lot of claims, and in my experience some of them are false, at least in North America. For example: "Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role [...] most of the recommendation process done through phone calls [...]". In my institution (and other big universities in the US and Canada) recommendations over the phone are not a thing, and the recommendation letters are one of the most important and most carefully read parts of an application. Also profs that I know are not particularly scared to write letters, they just don't like to write bad letters.

                          – Sasho Nikolov
                          59 mins ago













                        0














                        0










                        0









                        I had very similar experiences when multiple professors refused to provide me recommendation letters. Including those who provided various good words about me. They gave a lot of excuses, such as they think i was a good student but since i did very bad score in masters degree and certain research entrance competitive exams so the evidence do not reflect that goodness.
                        (But in fact the purpose of recommendation letter is originally opposite, it is to measure the research qualities that do not reflect in an exam).



                        Unfortunately the recommendation letter system is often not used as it was intended for. Instead it is misused or abused. I must not generalise, but yes it is seemingly misused sometimes. Recommendation letters or forms should be used to convey the psychological insight. But unfortunately it sometimes become a battlefield of authoritative power-play, where the academia suppresses the student to be blindly obedient to the teacher to get a dazzling recommendation letter, and to a more freethinking student, the career can often be down on a "blink of eye" of professors, guides, seniors etc. So sometimes the recommendation letters tend to contain false or unknowingly wrong informations.



                        Also presumably many recommendation letters are not read in details. Because in an advertisement for Ph.D. admission a lot of (50, 100, 500, 1000 or more) applications arrive and a very little number of people having a versatile mentality checks those applications, and most of the applications are speedily rejected since they will fund for a very little number (usually 1 to 25) of positions. Sometimes recommendation letters written in a very mean way such as "candidate X worked in our lab for Y years, (s)he is honest, hardworking, sincere, intelligent, blah blah" as used to be in schoolday character certificate. They seemingly look for a signature and an institutional stamp. They often check for reputation and influence of the referee, and the interpersonal or inter-institutional rapport with the referee. Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role in the weightage to select the candidate, most of the recommendation process done through phone calls, in-person meetings, pannelling systems and bargaining. This is unfair, but this is real and unavoidable, it cannot yet be officially prevented, given the authority bears huge power and ego.



                        Also, another factor that prevents a professor from write a recommendation letter is; to writing a recommendation letter poses a risk or threat of responsibility to oneself (the referee professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter say for example a the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they might think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk on oneself; omly then application could be done.



                        ..............................



                        In conditions your guide refuse to write the recommendation letter, ask other professors, ask more open minded teachers to give recommendation letter. even go to your earlier academia such as college and school. Make the issue open up. Explain why a recommendation letter is necessary for you. Carefully read brochure of your target institute that if they specifically mentions who can be your referee. If they does not specifically mention it, I think it is technically okay to take recommendation from your older academia such as your college teachers.



                        At the same time, you need to personally meet Ph. D. supervisors if it is legally allowed (in some academia it leads to disqualification as they call it "canvassing" whereas in some other places it is legal to just take an appointment and having a conversation). However it is difficult or impossible if the target institute is on another country, but still you may communicate using E-mails and video chat sessions. Explain them your specific problem with collecting recommendation letter and whether they can select you based on other available information about you.






                        share|improve this answer















                        I had very similar experiences when multiple professors refused to provide me recommendation letters. Including those who provided various good words about me. They gave a lot of excuses, such as they think i was a good student but since i did very bad score in masters degree and certain research entrance competitive exams so the evidence do not reflect that goodness.
                        (But in fact the purpose of recommendation letter is originally opposite, it is to measure the research qualities that do not reflect in an exam).



                        Unfortunately the recommendation letter system is often not used as it was intended for. Instead it is misused or abused. I must not generalise, but yes it is seemingly misused sometimes. Recommendation letters or forms should be used to convey the psychological insight. But unfortunately it sometimes become a battlefield of authoritative power-play, where the academia suppresses the student to be blindly obedient to the teacher to get a dazzling recommendation letter, and to a more freethinking student, the career can often be down on a "blink of eye" of professors, guides, seniors etc. So sometimes the recommendation letters tend to contain false or unknowingly wrong informations.



                        Also presumably many recommendation letters are not read in details. Because in an advertisement for Ph.D. admission a lot of (50, 100, 500, 1000 or more) applications arrive and a very little number of people having a versatile mentality checks those applications, and most of the applications are speedily rejected since they will fund for a very little number (usually 1 to 25) of positions. Sometimes recommendation letters written in a very mean way such as "candidate X worked in our lab for Y years, (s)he is honest, hardworking, sincere, intelligent, blah blah" as used to be in schoolday character certificate. They seemingly look for a signature and an institutional stamp. They often check for reputation and influence of the referee, and the interpersonal or inter-institutional rapport with the referee. Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role in the weightage to select the candidate, most of the recommendation process done through phone calls, in-person meetings, pannelling systems and bargaining. This is unfair, but this is real and unavoidable, it cannot yet be officially prevented, given the authority bears huge power and ego.



                        Also, another factor that prevents a professor from write a recommendation letter is; to writing a recommendation letter poses a risk or threat of responsibility to oneself (the referee professor) that makes them scared to write a recommendation letter say for example a the student is suffering invisible disability. Because they might think on new institute the referred student will take time to adapt and the new professors will then blame or defame the referee professor. Referral system is such a drastic way to prune out students so that if a student earns so much trust that referee take a huge risk on oneself; omly then application could be done.



                        ..............................



                        In conditions your guide refuse to write the recommendation letter, ask other professors, ask more open minded teachers to give recommendation letter. even go to your earlier academia such as college and school. Make the issue open up. Explain why a recommendation letter is necessary for you. Carefully read brochure of your target institute that if they specifically mentions who can be your referee. If they does not specifically mention it, I think it is technically okay to take recommendation from your older academia such as your college teachers.



                        At the same time, you need to personally meet Ph. D. supervisors if it is legally allowed (in some academia it leads to disqualification as they call it "canvassing" whereas in some other places it is legal to just take an appointment and having a conversation). However it is difficult or impossible if the target institute is on another country, but still you may communicate using E-mails and video chat sessions. Explain them your specific problem with collecting recommendation letter and whether they can select you based on other available information about you.







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited 4 hours ago

























                        answered 6 hours ago









                        Always ConfusedAlways Confused

                        1167 bronze badges




                        1167 bronze badges















                        • You make a lot of claims, and in my experience some of them are false, at least in North America. For example: "Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role [...] most of the recommendation process done through phone calls [...]". In my institution (and other big universities in the US and Canada) recommendations over the phone are not a thing, and the recommendation letters are one of the most important and most carefully read parts of an application. Also profs that I know are not particularly scared to write letters, they just don't like to write bad letters.

                          – Sasho Nikolov
                          59 mins ago

















                        • You make a lot of claims, and in my experience some of them are false, at least in North America. For example: "Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role [...] most of the recommendation process done through phone calls [...]". In my institution (and other big universities in the US and Canada) recommendations over the phone are not a thing, and the recommendation letters are one of the most important and most carefully read parts of an application. Also profs that I know are not particularly scared to write letters, they just don't like to write bad letters.

                          – Sasho Nikolov
                          59 mins ago
















                        You make a lot of claims, and in my experience some of them are false, at least in North America. For example: "Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role [...] most of the recommendation process done through phone calls [...]". In my institution (and other big universities in the US and Canada) recommendations over the phone are not a thing, and the recommendation letters are one of the most important and most carefully read parts of an application. Also profs that I know are not particularly scared to write letters, they just don't like to write bad letters.

                        – Sasho Nikolov
                        59 mins ago





                        You make a lot of claims, and in my experience some of them are false, at least in North America. For example: "Also the recommendation letter has the minimal role [...] most of the recommendation process done through phone calls [...]". In my institution (and other big universities in the US and Canada) recommendations over the phone are not a thing, and the recommendation letters are one of the most important and most carefully read parts of an application. Also profs that I know are not particularly scared to write letters, they just don't like to write bad letters.

                        – Sasho Nikolov
                        59 mins ago











                        0
















                        Am I alone in thinking this sounds like a not-so-subtle suggestion to write a research paper with your professor?



                        You've been working in his research lab for a year, do you have any results? You could write them up and show him. If you don't have any results, maybe discuss with him what he might want to write about with you.



                        He may not need your paper to be published, submitted, or even fully completed in order to write your letter. An "in preparation" paper may be good enough. It demonstrates that you're a self-starter in the research sphere, which is necessary for a PhD. Also, if it looks like the paper has a good trajectory and he will be getting a publication out of it, then there's something in it for him to support you.






                        share|improve this answer





























                          0
















                          Am I alone in thinking this sounds like a not-so-subtle suggestion to write a research paper with your professor?



                          You've been working in his research lab for a year, do you have any results? You could write them up and show him. If you don't have any results, maybe discuss with him what he might want to write about with you.



                          He may not need your paper to be published, submitted, or even fully completed in order to write your letter. An "in preparation" paper may be good enough. It demonstrates that you're a self-starter in the research sphere, which is necessary for a PhD. Also, if it looks like the paper has a good trajectory and he will be getting a publication out of it, then there's something in it for him to support you.






                          share|improve this answer



























                            0














                            0










                            0









                            Am I alone in thinking this sounds like a not-so-subtle suggestion to write a research paper with your professor?



                            You've been working in his research lab for a year, do you have any results? You could write them up and show him. If you don't have any results, maybe discuss with him what he might want to write about with you.



                            He may not need your paper to be published, submitted, or even fully completed in order to write your letter. An "in preparation" paper may be good enough. It demonstrates that you're a self-starter in the research sphere, which is necessary for a PhD. Also, if it looks like the paper has a good trajectory and he will be getting a publication out of it, then there's something in it for him to support you.






                            share|improve this answer













                            Am I alone in thinking this sounds like a not-so-subtle suggestion to write a research paper with your professor?



                            You've been working in his research lab for a year, do you have any results? You could write them up and show him. If you don't have any results, maybe discuss with him what he might want to write about with you.



                            He may not need your paper to be published, submitted, or even fully completed in order to write your letter. An "in preparation" paper may be good enough. It demonstrates that you're a self-starter in the research sphere, which is necessary for a PhD. Also, if it looks like the paper has a good trajectory and he will be getting a publication out of it, then there's something in it for him to support you.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 19 mins ago









                            Alexander GruberAlexander Gruber

                            4967 silver badges15 bronze badges




                            4967 silver badges15 bronze badges


















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