A letter regarding graduate school
Jan. 24th, 2007 08:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
danaerisNot sure if I should email this to the relevant professor, or call him up and try to set up some kind of appointment.
Dear Professor,
Since submitting my application to Ryerson, it has come to my attention that I left out some very important details which I did not realize would be considered relevant.
The fall of my Junior year, I left my now ex-husband and initiated a divorce. I spent a month homeless, sleeping on the floor of a friend's dorm room. My ex-husband knew my class schedule and chose to try to intersect me at class, causing me to be scared of attending classes without an escort. He also sent me extremely long harrassing emails daily, in which he often threatened to hurt my friends. The stress I was under had a profound effect on my health, and I began to suffer from severe insomnia. The sleep deprivation naturally had an effect on my ability to perform academically.
I am often surprised that I managed, nonetheless, to graduate on time with a respectable average -- 4.2/5.0 -- from one of the most difficult programs in the world. It is an accomplishment of which I am proud.
I was naturally distressed when I was recently told that to qualify for entrance scholarships at Ryerson I need an A- average for classes within my major in my final two years of study. I see a number of problems with this.
(1) Not all programs of study are created equal. Nor are all schools created equal. If I had attended a different school and studied a different major, I probably would have graduated with straight As. However, I chose to challenge myself and to pursue the most intellectually stimulating environment. I chose to study physics at MIT. Now it seems that this was a mistake -- by making that choice, I'm doomed to an ever-increasing debt in order to achieve my dreams and earn a degree in journalism.
I am disturbed not only because of the impact this will have on my own education and bank book, but also because of the precedent it sets. This sends the message that you would rather the big fish from a small pond than the little fish that braved the ocean. It encourages mediocrity. It means that when next I advise a high school student where to study, my advice should be that they choose an institution of learning where they can get top marks, rather than an institution where they will be challenged and stimulated.
(2) Grades hardly paint the whole picture. In the recent open house on the graduate journalism program, I remember you saying that in your experience, academic achievement is the top indicator of success in your program. Yet, that is not at all the experience that U.S. universities have. Canadian universities are very grade-centric, with hard and fast grade cut-offs for applicants. Whereas it is quite possible to get into MIT with lower grades if your statement of intent, essay, resume, SAT scores, interviews, letters of recommendation, application (about eight pages long), or some combination thereof prove that you are a good match for the school. Given that MIT graduates are respected the world over, it seems to me that they, and other U.S. schools, could be onto something.
(3) Grading schemes are not identical. At Harvard, for instance, most classes are A-B centred, which as I'm sure you know means that the average student will receive a B+ or A-. At MIT, most classes are B-C centred, which means that most students will receive a B- or C+. Furthermore, in Canada, 80 per cent and higher is considered to be an A- or better. At MIT and most U.S. universities, an A/A- is considered 90 per cent or higher. So, although MIT labels a 4.0/5.0 as a B average, a B average is equivalent to getting 80 per cent.
(4) I did an unusual major: Physics with Science Writing. It may not be clear from looking at my transcript which courses were part of my major. I'd be happy to help you figure this out.
(5) I'm a little dismayed to discover that Canadian schools still adhere to a scholarship-based system. Although it is unlikely that this will change anytime soon, I'd like to urge you to consider a different system for dispensing funds to students. Under a scholarship system, students who have no need of the money may be awarded the money, while those who cannot attend the school without funding could get nothing. I would strongly encourage you to explore the concept of needs-based financial aid. After all, I'd like to believe that you stand behind every admission decision you make. If all of the students you admit belong at Ryerson's Journalism School, then funding should go towards making sure that those who might not be able to attend can do so.
If you've actually read this far, I'd like to express my appreciation for your time and attention. It was a long email, but I felt that these concerns did need to be expressed.
Sincerely,
Me
Dear Professor,
Since submitting my application to Ryerson, it has come to my attention that I left out some very important details which I did not realize would be considered relevant.
The fall of my Junior year, I left my now ex-husband and initiated a divorce. I spent a month homeless, sleeping on the floor of a friend's dorm room. My ex-husband knew my class schedule and chose to try to intersect me at class, causing me to be scared of attending classes without an escort. He also sent me extremely long harrassing emails daily, in which he often threatened to hurt my friends. The stress I was under had a profound effect on my health, and I began to suffer from severe insomnia. The sleep deprivation naturally had an effect on my ability to perform academically.
I am often surprised that I managed, nonetheless, to graduate on time with a respectable average -- 4.2/5.0 -- from one of the most difficult programs in the world. It is an accomplishment of which I am proud.
I was naturally distressed when I was recently told that to qualify for entrance scholarships at Ryerson I need an A- average for classes within my major in my final two years of study. I see a number of problems with this.
(1) Not all programs of study are created equal. Nor are all schools created equal. If I had attended a different school and studied a different major, I probably would have graduated with straight As. However, I chose to challenge myself and to pursue the most intellectually stimulating environment. I chose to study physics at MIT. Now it seems that this was a mistake -- by making that choice, I'm doomed to an ever-increasing debt in order to achieve my dreams and earn a degree in journalism.
I am disturbed not only because of the impact this will have on my own education and bank book, but also because of the precedent it sets. This sends the message that you would rather the big fish from a small pond than the little fish that braved the ocean. It encourages mediocrity. It means that when next I advise a high school student where to study, my advice should be that they choose an institution of learning where they can get top marks, rather than an institution where they will be challenged and stimulated.
(2) Grades hardly paint the whole picture. In the recent open house on the graduate journalism program, I remember you saying that in your experience, academic achievement is the top indicator of success in your program. Yet, that is not at all the experience that U.S. universities have. Canadian universities are very grade-centric, with hard and fast grade cut-offs for applicants. Whereas it is quite possible to get into MIT with lower grades if your statement of intent, essay, resume, SAT scores, interviews, letters of recommendation, application (about eight pages long), or some combination thereof prove that you are a good match for the school. Given that MIT graduates are respected the world over, it seems to me that they, and other U.S. schools, could be onto something.
(3) Grading schemes are not identical. At Harvard, for instance, most classes are A-B centred, which as I'm sure you know means that the average student will receive a B+ or A-. At MIT, most classes are B-C centred, which means that most students will receive a B- or C+. Furthermore, in Canada, 80 per cent and higher is considered to be an A- or better. At MIT and most U.S. universities, an A/A- is considered 90 per cent or higher. So, although MIT labels a 4.0/5.0 as a B average, a B average is equivalent to getting 80 per cent.
(4) I did an unusual major: Physics with Science Writing. It may not be clear from looking at my transcript which courses were part of my major. I'd be happy to help you figure this out.
(5) I'm a little dismayed to discover that Canadian schools still adhere to a scholarship-based system. Although it is unlikely that this will change anytime soon, I'd like to urge you to consider a different system for dispensing funds to students. Under a scholarship system, students who have no need of the money may be awarded the money, while those who cannot attend the school without funding could get nothing. I would strongly encourage you to explore the concept of needs-based financial aid. After all, I'd like to believe that you stand behind every admission decision you make. If all of the students you admit belong at Ryerson's Journalism School, then funding should go towards making sure that those who might not be able to attend can do so.
If you've actually read this far, I'd like to express my appreciation for your time and attention. It was a long email, but I felt that these concerns did need to be expressed.
Sincerely,
Me
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no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 03:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 03:11 pm (UTC)As a matter of fact
(1) there is a place on the application form that asks for information such as the divorce I went through that I did not fill out. I didn't realize at the time that it would be considered relevant. I'm trying to fix that oversight.
(2) When I applied to MIT, they were confused at all the Bs and Cs I had, because they thought that 90 and above was an A, and 80-90 was a B. They did not admit me early admission for that reason. I sent them something from the Ontario ministry of education explaining our grading scheme. I was then admitted.
These are factors they need to be aware of. Higher education is a whole different ball game.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 03:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 04:42 pm (UTC)I wrote a bunch of detailed reasons, but I figured I should first ask you if you'll be offended by my posting them here. I tried to not be nasty, but my criticism is always... Harsh. I can email you if you want, or just keep my mouth shut, whichever you prefer.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 04:45 pm (UTC)I'm not sure I'm in a good frame of mind, mental health wise, to receive such an email, either.
Do you also believe that I shouldn't talk to him in person? Or, in a general sense, do you believe that my reasoning is invalid?
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 04:56 pm (UTC)In brief, I think you're trying to hit too many birds with one letter. This isn't the time nor the place to criticise the funding allocation system. Nor are these the people who can make significant procedural changes.
I don't know how open they are (you appear to have a specific professor in mind; are you sure zie is in the position to determine the outcome of your application) to having in-person conversations about this.
I'm concerned that their position might be "there was a standard form you were supposed to fill out and this information should've gone on there." They're likely to be understanding and add your written information to the scholarship application, but them profs sure do value their time.
Having said that, if you have a good rapport established with that professor, or if you come to zir to *ask* whether this information is valid to qualify for special consideration, then you should *definitely* go talk to zir.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 05:01 pm (UTC)But I won't find out if I don't try!
I think writing the email helped me to focus my ideas, even if I never send it.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 05:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 05:11 pm (UTC)Maybe this change is something CASA should be lobbying for, instead of suing people who want to leave its lofty ranks.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 05:00 pm (UTC)Or maybe kitties in bondage gear? :)
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 05:02 pm (UTC)And, thanks for being cautious of my delicate mental state. I'm not proud of how sensitive I am right now, or how breakable I've become. But I refuse to be ashamed of it. *sigh*
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 05:07 pm (UTC)A mutual acquaintance was in a similar position as your special circumstances above, also during exam-time in an upper year of a highly demanding program. Was told by the professor for the relevant course (and, I can't remember for sure, but possibly said prof was the department head),
"You had the choice as to whether break up with your partner or not, so this is voluntary, and not acceptable grounds for a petition for special consideration."
Said acquaintance then went to the program advisor (yeah, the program rated a dedicated advisor of its own), who said [paraphrasing] "well, that's nice of him. He's not on the petitions committee, though. *I* am."
And that was the end of it.
So don't give up yet.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 04:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 04:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 04:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 04:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 04:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 05:03 pm (UTC)I treat people nicely and try to be what I can for them...sometimes I fail, sometimes I surprise myself.
I'm just trying.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-24 05:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-25 03:22 am (UTC)1. It is unprofessional to use phrases like "from one of the most difficult programs in the world" to characterize your experience.
2. "At Harvard, for instance, most classes are A-B centred": I am not sure what point you are trying to make, but as a Harvard alumnus, reading this makes me uncomfortable.
3. If I had made some painful decisions that did not maximize what I considered to be my utility function at the time, I "probably would have graduated with straight As" as well. Better to accept that you do not have a time machine and move on.
4. "I chose to study physics at MIT [...] Now it seems that this was a mistake": was it really? It is part of who you are now, and I like who you are. As a wise friend once put it to me in a lovely finance analogy, "you bought an option to enter [a different vocation]. The option expired worthless, but that does not mean that it had no value."
5. "Grades hardly paint the whole picture." If he does not consider this statement (at least considered in isolation) to be patronizing and maybe even a bit condescending, then you really do not want to work for him, trust me.
In short, I think that a little humility and a smidgeon of confidence will get a reasonable reviewer to overlook your apparent shortcoming in favor of the reasonable points that you can let your resume and obvious intellect make for you in the absence of didactic argumentation.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-25 04:46 am (UTC)"Since submitting my application to Ryerson, it has come to my attention that I left out two important details which I did not realize could be considered relevant. I recently learned that to qualify for entrance scholarships at Ryerson I would need an A- average for classes within my major in my final two years of study. I did not quite achieve this, but ask for consideration for an entrance scholarship nonetheless.
(1) In the fall of my Junior year at MIT, I left my now ex-husband and initiated a divorce. I avoided some classes because of his threats and fears over confrontation with him. The stress I was under also had a profoundly negative effect on my health. However, I graduated on time with a B+ average, 4.2/5.0, in an unusual major: Physics with Science Writing.
(2) At MIT, most classes are B-C centered, which means that most students will receive a B- or C+. MIT labels a 4.0/5.0 as a B. In comparison, most Harvard classes are A-B centered, which means that the average student will receive a B+ or A-.
Thank you for your time and attention. I hope that with this further information you will look favorably upon my request for consideration for an entrance scholarship."
no subject
Date: 2007-01-25 04:55 am (UTC)