Frequently Asked Questions

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My criteria for reference letters have changed. Please read through carefully: 

1. Graduate schools: I require a 3-week minimum for graduate school reference letters. Graduate schools ask  for evidence of strong communication skills and research aptitude, including problem solving and critical thinking skills. Therefore, I can only accept requests from students who I know well (i.e., have taken at least 2 courses with me and stood out as active participants in both courses) and with whom I have a strong professional relationship . As such, solely performing well in a course you took with me is not grounds for a reference letter.
   
2. Professional schools (e.g., medicine, law, dentistry, business):  I require a 6-week minimum for professional school letters. Professional schools often ask for nuanced information with precise examples. As such, I am only able to write professional school letters for students who I know extremely well  (i.e., have taken at least 3 courses with me and stood out as active participants in all courses), have a strong positive professional relationship with, AND have worked with me directly on a project or as a TA.
   
3. Scholarships & awards: I require a 3-week minimum for reference letters for scholarships and awards. Having taken a course with me is not required for scholarships and award letters, but only requests from students who I know very well and have a strong positive professional relationship with will be considered.  

In all cases, urgent requests will be automatically denied. Please plan accordingly! Examples of urgent requests include:

• you cannot find another referee (e.g., because you did not establish rapport with your profs during your academic journey)
• your due date is less than the minimum request timeline
• providing my contact information to the programs you're applying to without asking me first. 

Lastly, a previous letter also does not guarantee another one or that I will re-use a previous one. This is especially true for alumni who do not remain in contact for an extended time. Referees are essentially vouching for you, and if we don't stay in touch several years after you graduate, I am unable to speak to the person you are today (even if we had a positive professional relationship in the past). In these cases, I may decline your request, or modify the letter to reflect that my comments are based on dated experiences. Please keep this in mind.

If I have accepted your reference letter request (please be sure to read above), please provide:

• your unofficial McMaster transcript  
• the list of schools you will be applying to
• the due dates for each school you are applying to

Please note that I customize my letters depending on the program you're applying to, and I do not write letters in perpetuity.  This means that if there is another school you've decided to apply to that you did not list previously, please confirm with me first rather than assuming I am able to submit a letter on your behalf. It will depend on whether I can re-use an old letter, and if not, whether there is time in my schedule to meet your deadline. 

Lastly, a previous letter also does not guarantee another one or that I will re-use a previous one. This is especially true for alumni who do not remain in contact for an extended time. Referees are essentially vouching for you, and if we don't stay in touch several years after you graduate, I am unable to speak to the person you are today (even if we had a positive professional relationship in the past). In these cases, I may decline your request, or modify the letter to reflect that my comments are based on dated experiences. Please keep this in mind.

Yes, I have supervised students for LIFESCI 4B09, and co-supervised students for LIFESCI 4C12, 4B09, and 3RP3. 

I generally work with high performing students who I know well and have a close professional relationship with. These students tend to be those who regularly attend class, actively participate, and attend office hours. They also demonstrate exceptional critical thinking and problem solving skills and ask great questions during class. 

That said, there may be opportunities for these students.

Direct supervision for thesis opportunities are rare, and opportunities for each project will be posted here. However, I am open to co-supervising students on projects with other PIs. 

No, as a teaching professor, I do not supervise graduate students, as I do not have a research lab. However, if you would like me to sit on your supervisory committee, please confirm with your PI and email me at robins9[at]mcmaster.ca to arrange a meeting.