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Letters of Recommendation

Below are my recommendations for students interested in getting a letter of recommendation from me.

I'm happy to write letters of recommendation. I consider this a very important part of my job and I want to see my students succeed. It's important for you, however, when asking for letters (applies to anyone), to do your best to provide me with the materials that will lead to the best possible recommendation. To do this I need to know about you and why you're interested in the particular position for which you've requested my letter. Here is a required list of items for you to provide at least two weeks before the letter must be mailed:

• Your resume
• A copy of your academic transcript
• A description of the opportunity to which you are applying
• A short essay about what you accomplished while in my class(es) or my lab. Your letter will be better if I can include specific projects you accomplished (e.g., presentation on fireflies, not "the oral presentation thing"). Please provide, if possible, any additional ways you distinguished yourself in my class. Evidence of independent thought, self-motivation, and the demonstrated ability to do science are most helpful. (Please remind me what you did!)
• A stamped, addressed envelope (unless for Career Services). I ONLY send letters of recommendation directly to the school or employer. Please don't ask me to give you the letter to send (even when applications suggest this).

Please be aware that I do not write unconditionally glowing letters of recommendation. The better letters are written for students who have made an effort to communicate with me. I also suggest you be mindful of asking anyone to write you a letter if you have not earned at least one A or A- with them in one course. In addition, having done independent research will help immensely. I would be cautious asking any faculty members for letters of recommendation if they do not know you by name or you have received a grade below a B (including a B-). If you've taken two or more classes with me then a C, earned in your first class, may be OK if your performance in a later, more challenging course was an A.

If upon receiving your recommendation materials I discover that you chose NOT to waive your right to access my letter then I retain the right to not write a letter.

Student Research

• THINKING ABOUT RESEARCH IN HARTVIGSEN'S LAB?
• Ideas for student research in my lab.
• Student projects either completed or currently underway in my lab.
• Agreement for doing research in my lab (includes submitting paper to the SUNY Geneseo Journal of Science and Mathematics).

Opportunities

• conservation biology
• environmentally-related jobs
• environmental career opportunities

Gregg Hartvigsen, Biology Department, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY 14454