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[hennypenny]

A dilemma:

You're asked to write a letter of recommendation for a student, but you don't think they're right/ready for the position they seek (job, grad school, internship, whatever).

Do you a) suck it up and write a nice letter b) damn them with faint praise c) tell them you aren't a good reference (let them down easy) d) tell them you don't think they should get the position (and why) e) none of the above?

Now, imagine you're writing the letter to someone you know and respect.  You don't want them stuck with someone you wouldn't be happy with yourself in the same situation.

Any thoughts?

- a newbie

[voxprincipalis]

Hennypenny,

There are some previous threads on this topic that you might find useful. I am not saying they correspond exactly to your situation, but they might be worth a read.

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,28024.0.html

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,17647.0.html

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,29295.0.html

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,28846.0.html

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,17001.0.html

VP