Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concerns of a student regarding the potential annoyance of their letter of recommendation (LOR) writers when requesting additional letters for graduate program applications. The context includes considerations of deadlines, previous experiences with LORs, and the implications of asking for more letters.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- The student has previously secured LORs for a grad program with a deadline of 12/1 and is now applying to additional programs with mid-December deadlines.
- Some participants suggest that while the writers may be annoyed by the additional requests, they might still comply if they have a favorable opinion of the student.
- There is a concern about the quality of the LORs if the writers are asked to produce them on short notice.
- One participant notes that some applications may have grace periods for submitting recommendation letters, which could alleviate some pressure.
- The student expresses a lack of expectation for high-quality LORs, anticipating they will be only slightly above average.
- Another participant reassures that if the professors have written good letters in the past, they are likely to do so again, regardless of potential annoyance.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express mixed views on whether the LOR writers will be annoyed, with some suggesting annoyance is likely while others believe the writers will prioritize meeting deadlines over their feelings. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the potential impact of this annoyance on the quality of the letters.
Contextual Notes
Participants mention the importance of deadlines and the potential for grace periods in applications, but there is no detailed exploration of specific policies or how they might apply to the student's situation.