Not currently accepting applications for Research Assistants
Policies
Gifts: I cannot accept gifts from current or former students.
Letter of Recommendation:
1) Minimum requirement:
- In order to obtain a letter of recommendation, you must have participated with Dr. Allen’s lab/been in Dr. Allen’s class for AT LEAST one complete semester with grades submitted. It is expected that you will waive your access to the letter. Letters will only be submitted through formal portals, not released directly to the student.
2) Requesting a letter:
- Request a letter a minimum of 1 month in advance.
- If you have worked in the lab and have worked closely with a graduate student in the lab, your letter will be written jointly with contributions from both the graduate student(s) and Dr. Allen (rather than separate letters).
- To write a letter, Dr. Allen will want to review the following materials: Transcript (unofficial from the SMART website is fine), Resume or CV, GRE scores (if required by the program), a paper that represents your writing (if no final paper from the lab or class with Dr. Allen, please share a significant paper from another course), if lab participant, hours log with notes outlining your contribution to the project, and personal statements requested from the school(s) to which you are applying, and any advocation for yourself—remind us of how exceptional you were or how you went above and beyond.
3) Following your request and/or material review:
- Dr. Allen may want to set up a feedback session with you in order to discuss candidly the strength of the letter she believes she can provide. You will then be able to make an informed decision regarding whether you want the letter. For individuals applying to psychology programs, we typically need to consider the following areas of evaluation:
o Sincere interest in the field of psychology
o Research strength/interest in research
o Interpersonal skills, ability to work as part of a team, potential for clinical work
o Maturity, both personal and intellectual maturity
o Particular strengths and weaknesses
o Communication skills, both written and oral
Important: If Dr. Allen has ONLY known you through an online class, the letter can speak to your performance in the class but will clearly indicate that we have not personally met. Moreover, the undergraduate classes do not indicate to me things like your oral presentation skills or research aptitude. If a rating form is required, this will generally result in a high number of "unable to rate" entries for things not apparent in class performance, and that I know the student "slightly". It is strongly recommended that you seek a letter from someone who knows you well.
