funny rec letter story

[jesswise]

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Here in New Brunswick, the province is officially bilingual, the only such province in Canada (Quebec is French only).

So when one of my referrees wrote his rec letter in French, I thought nothing of it. But the school called me and basically said "we can't read this" so I had to do something. But the letter is confidential, so I can't see it or get it to take it to be translated. And the referree can't write it in English.

So I had to ask a professor of French from the university where the med school is to go to the med school admissions office and dictate the translation to the administrative assistant there who typed it as she dictated. Now I have to pay $75 for the translation (not that big a deal, truly). And I have to call the other school where I applied and ask if they need theirs translated!

Does anyone think it's wrong to send something thoughtful to the admin assistant who went to so much trouble on my account (she was doing her job, but it was a lot of work for one applicant)?

Jess

 

[jlee9531]

i dont think its wrong at all.

maybe something small and quaint will be nice. but anything to show appreciation.

 

[ms. a]

I think that a simple thank you note would sufice. Sending a gift might look a little over-the-top. I sent some thank you notes to a couple of admissions offices where the staff were particularly nice and accomidating when I had some rather unusual requirements while interviewing.

 

[rgporter]

So far I have purchased a gift for one person who wrote a letter for me. He is a big outdoors nut, so I got him a windproof/waterproof lighter. I will get gifts for the other three also, but I haven't decided what to get them yet. It is harder for me to know what my profs like. Please post suggestions, cause I'm stumped.

 

[jlee9531]

do you dabble in photography?

if you do....frame a pic for each of them.

if you dont...then are you good at something...like creative or artistic?

 

[Paws]

I had to chase down this poor professor the last few weeks and beg another letter of reference from him. Really frustrating and embarassing. He was great tho, and wrote an incredibly nice letter (a copy of which he emailed to me!), and I was so touched by what he wrote - and how stupid I felt chasing him down, that I decided to send him a nice box of homemade chocolates made in a cool store down the street.

It felt important to thank him and let him know how much I appreciated what he had done. I am reminded that these guys don't have to do anything for us - they're choosing to. One prof I am still waiting to hear back from, and might never hear from him.

Besides, this guy is about to retire and it would be a nice way to say good bye.

Yes, send something nice to her !