I am happy to write you a letter of recommendation, so long as I feel like I can help you. Strong letters of recommendation make it more likely that you get what you’re applying for. Neutral letters make no difference. Weak letters make it less likely that you get what you’re applying for. It makes me feel bad when I write letters that are neutral or weak, because then I don’t feel like I’m helping you, and I want to help!

If you only took one class from me and it was a year ago, it is very unlikely that I will be able to write you a strong letter. Strong letters of recommendation have lots of detailed evidence in support of the candidate. I have a bad memory, and so if it’s a year later, it is unlikely I will be able to remember lots of detailed evidence that speaks to how great you are. This does not mean that you were a bad student, or that I don’t like you. It just means that my memory sucks.

If you’d like me to write you a letter of recommendation, ask me if I can write you a strong letter. If my answer is yes, I will almost certainly be willing to write you one, and then I can help you, and you can get what you apply for, and we can both be happy! Yay!