This page contains information for undergraduate and graduate students at Greensboro College or for students at other institutions who wish to work with me.

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RECOMMENDATION REQUESTS

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I am honored to write recommendations in support of qualified students for graduate school or references for positions. However, it is to your advantage to make it easier for me to write a glowing recommendation attesting to your skills and abilities. In order that I may be able to do justice to your abilities, please ensure that you fulfill the criteria below before approaching me for a recommendation.

 

Undergraduate students who wish me to write a recommendation letter in support of positions or other opportunities should fulfill the following basic prerequisites:

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• The recommendation is not due within a month.

• Have taken at least 3 courses that were either taught or co-taught by me. This can include introductory courses or my supervision of a project.

• Ensure that you have at least a B- in my classes.

• E-mail me a resumé that includes relevant activities and information that would be useful for the position or graduate school you are applying for. (No need to include your work at Pizza Hut if you're not looking for a reference for a pizza chef.)

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Undergraduate students who wish me to write a recommendation for graduate school should ensure that at least the following criteria are met:

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• The recommendation is not due within a month.

• Have taken at least 3 courses that were either taught or co-taught by me. This can include introductory courses or my supervision of a project.

• Ensure that you have at least a B+ in my classes. Ideally, an A- or above for competitive graduate programs.

• In the resumé, include activities, accomplishments (publications? church involvement?), and other relevant information. Your e-mail should include the name of the graduate school you're applying to, and why you would are interested in attending that graduate school.

• Please ensure that I am an appropriate person to attest to your academic abilities. I may not be the best person to attest to your abilities if you wish to attend a graduate engineering program, for example.

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Graduate students who wish for me to write a recommendation for doctoral programs should additionally ensure that the following criteria are met:

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• You have a conversation with me first. This is really important because the job market for Ph.D. graduates in religion and theology is unbelievably competitive. Many Ph.D.'s from schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are unable to find tenure track academic work. We need to have a conversation so you know what you are getting yourself into.

• You have at least an A- for all seminars.

• E-mail me your current CV and a writing sample. (Usually a polished essay of around 20 pages, double spaced.)

• In that e-mail, include the name of the doctoral program you are applying to, what you intend to study, and with whom you intend to study.

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REQUESTS TO BE A MASTER'S THESIS / DOCTORAL DISSERTATION OUTSIDE READER

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For Masters Thesis Outside Reader Requests: Outside reader requests for masters theses are not common. Hence, I will only consider requests for (1) masters students at the Graduate Theological Union or the University of Illinois at Chicago, for (2) alumni of the Graduate Theological Union or Greensboro College, and (3) for projects in which the interests or subject matter very closely align with mine or is a subject of my major expertise. If you meet those criteria, please e-mail me to schedule a time to discuss your project.

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For Doctoral Dissertation Outside Reader Requests: While I am honored to be considered, please be aware that because I am a junior scholar, my presence on your Ph.D. exam or dissertation committee may not be helpful for your post-doctoral career. For that reason, I am currently not inclined to be an outside member of a doctoral dissertation committee. I may make an exception for Ph.D. students from the Graduate Theological Union, the University of California - Berkeley, or the University of Illinois - Chicago; and for Ph.D. students who are alumni of Greensboro College; and if the subject matter very closely align with my interests and expertise.

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