A question in need of answers

[threeplusfire]

So I'm using my journal in a weirdly public way. But what the hell... I'm torn at the moment.

If you had two recommendation letters from your all-time best professors sitting in sealed envelopes on your bookshelf, and the person in charge of the scholarship said you could open them and read them, would you?

Comments

[avva.livejournal.com]

Yeah, do it. Consider these caveats though:

1. If they're full of praise, don't take any of it too close to heart. Recommendation letters are traditionally skewed towards fake praise, even more so in recent years because some students actually sued their professors for candid letters. Even very good and honest professors are liable to write letters full of nothing but stock praise, especially because the letters aren't meant for you to read.

2. If there're criticisms, don't be disappointed: be very thankful. Don't accept them as gospel truth; rather, study them carefully and reflect on them. Don't give in to any of the two extremes: either dismissing harsh words because you obviously know yourself better than the professor, or shattering your self-confidence because the professor is so much smarter than you and is obviously right. Reflect, then reflect some more, and find the middle road that is best for you.

Just my $0.02.

very thoughtful

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Very important things to consider. If I decide to open them, I'll come back and read your comment again.

My curiousity has been on fire ever since I picked the letters up Friday. One professor seems to have written a couple pages, as the envelope is definitely thicker than the other. Heh, oh it's killing me! I hope he didn't tell them about the time I told him to go to hell in Russian class. ;)