Committee Member: Wait, what's your dissertation about again? I really thought it was about [original topic that was jettisoned almost a year ago in favor of something significantly narrower]. That's what I've been writing in all of your letters...
3
comments:
phil
said...
Was this the same person who forgets that most universities are closed on national holidays?
If I were at an R1, I'd probably be one of these forgetful people. I have so much to do that I can't really keep in my head what people are writing about. Unless it makes some HUGE impression on me - like some sort of traumatic narrative that makes you feel really sorry for the person - then it's hard to keep students' writing in my mind.
That's no comfort, naturally. The worst part about it is that they're not writing the rec letter with correct information. Now, if I were writing a rec letter for a job, I'd make sure I had my head on straight about someone's dissertation. But since I - thank god - am not in that position, I feel less pressure to remember things. Hopefully, the person will remove his/her head from his/her ass and get the letter right from now on.
3 comments:
Was this the same person who forgets that most universities are closed on national holidays?
Oddly, that would have been more comforting.
But no.
If I were at an R1, I'd probably be one of these forgetful people. I have so much to do that I can't really keep in my head what people are writing about. Unless it makes some HUGE impression on me - like some sort of traumatic narrative that makes you feel really sorry for the person - then it's hard to keep students' writing in my mind.
That's no comfort, naturally. The worst part about it is that they're not writing the rec letter with correct information. Now, if I were writing a rec letter for a job, I'd make sure I had my head on straight about someone's dissertation. But since I - thank god - am not in that position, I feel less pressure to remember things. Hopefully, the person will remove his/her head from his/her ass and get the letter right from now on.
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