Quote:
Originally Posted by stopdog
I usually have them write me a draft -more because I think it is good to see what they are looking for and how they are selling themselves not because I am going to use it as the letter I sign. Also, if the student is not willing to put that much energy into something and then I'm not either so I often can tell by those who balk about it as to how interested they really are
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I get that from asking them to show me a copy of their statement of purpose or some such writing.
I also have set criteria: must have taken three classes with me, with a B+ or better average across the three, only one course can have been online. That's how I weed out the ones who aren't really trying.
I've been told by several successful applicants that the admissions people told them my letters really put them over the top, so yeah, in response to other comments, I only recommend the ones I believe in. And I really frown on the backstabbing letter writers. You can always sugarcoat a fault if the rest of the package is good enough ("While x's language skills will require hard work and study to improve, I have no doubt that her very strong work ethic and desire to work in this field will carry her through" etc.).