For Students

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working with many talented undergraduate research assistants! Students interested in finding out about research opportunities should visit the Animal Behavior and Cognition Laboratory's page and contact me via email at [email protected].

Letters of Recommendation

I am happy to write letters of recommendation for students who have excelled in my classes or who have contributed positively as an undergraduate researcher in my lab. Letter writing is a time-consuming process, and I take it very seriously. I want to showcase your qualification in the best possible way.

As a reminder, you should inquire as to whether someone can write you "a strong letter of recommendation." Not just a letter, and not even a "good" letter. But a STRONG letter. To help with deciding whether a particular instructor could write you a strong letter, I highly recommend reading the following post about how professors view student behavior:

Psychology Today - What Would Your Professor Say About You? by Dr. Joan Bihun, Ph.D.

Here are some guidelines to consider before requesting a strong letter of recommendation:

Start by reading the above Psychology Today article to determine if I would be the best person to write on your behalf.
Requests for letters (e.g., graduate school, internship, job) should be made at least four weeks before the letter's due date. All required information listed below must be ready to go at the time of the request.
I only feel comfortable endorsing students who earned an A or B in my class, contributed substantially to the quality of the class dynamic, worked as a researcher in my lab, and/or spoke with me on several occasions about their professional pursuits.
Generally, I will only write on behalf of students that I have had contact with for more than one semester. If I have known a student for less than one semester before a letter must be written, I expect that student to make a concerted effort to come to office hours regularly so that I can become better acquainted with them and their goals.
Information needed at least four weeks before the due date: 1) CV/résumé, which can be written with help from the Center from Writing and Learning; 2) Personal statement or equivalent document, which I am happy to give feedback on if it is provided early enough before due dates; 3) A bullet-point list containing specific examples from our conversations and/or your time in class with me that you feel would supplement the letter (e.g., "My group unanimously voted that I was the most hard-working group member, and I earned all 30 pts for class participation." "I volunteered to check on the rats when our course TA was sick."). This is especially helpful if it's been a few years since you were a student in my class!
If the letter is for graduate school, you must provide a Google Drive folder with documents for each school organized in chronological order of when letters are due, details about each program(s), unofficial transcript, GRE or other professional scores, and submission details and dates.
If the letter is for a full- or part-time job, you must provide as much detail about the job as possible so that I can understand the qualifications and position. That way I can determine if I can appropriately write on your behalf given what I know about you.
If the letter is for an award or internship, you must provide as much information as possible so that I can understand the qualifications or position. That way I can determine if I can appropriately write on your behalf given what I know about you. I also ask for a paragraph separate from any personal statement type documents which explains how the award or internship will contribute to your long-term professional goals. This could be an office hours conversation instead.
Last but not least, follow up with me one week before the letter is due. I want to make sure I submit your letter on time. Friendly reminders are ALWAYS welcomed!