If a student has under performed due to personal circumstance (ill-health, bereavement etc), is it worth it and/or appropriate to write this in their academic reference? A potentially very capable student with an average-good grade after a slightly shaky year which wasn't anything to do with their talent. Or, is it not wise to say anything like this? For example, the student worked really hard to get the grade they got, which under the circumstances was quite impressive, but it's not an impressive mark if you don't know that they had struggled etc. Thanks M.

I'd say it's inappropriate unless the student has specifically requested that you mention it.

Yes I agree. Your final conclusions despite the personal circumstances were "potentially very capable", "worked really hard", "impressive", etc.

You could say that they're very capable and that you have high hopes for them to do even better in future. Where it's acceptable to make a vague reference saying that they didn't achieve their full potential due to circumstances outwith their control, I'm not sure.

Hi Maria, I'd say something like:

'X has the ability and aptitude to perform at the highest (or whatever you think appropriate) level; he/she has always shown high levels of intelligence, good character, tenacity and determinatition. X has been an excellent student.'

I'm not sure how appropriate it is to mention their personal difficulties, some people can be prejudiced about these things and may think the student's problems still exist; although I can see how it is hard to leave out such heroic efforts. I think the important thing is to get across how bright and hardworking the student is, and that it wasn't his/her fault that they didn't reach their full potential.

Hi Maria, I'd say something like:

'X has the ability and aptitude to perform at the highest (or whatever you think appropriate) level; he/she has always shown high levels of intelligence, good character, tenacity and determinatition. X has been an excellent student.'

I'm not sure how appropriate it is to mention their personal difficulties, some people can be prejudiced about these things and may think the student's problems still exist; although I can see how it is hard to leave out such heroic efforts. I think the important thing is to get across how bright and hardworking the student is, and that it wasn't his/her fault that they didn't reach their full potential.

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Hi..It is nice to notice a related conversation here, which I was really interested to know.

The student could not archive his fullest potential, even though he struggled hard due to some external reasons. especially, the student score only average marks in some of the modules in the degree. However he/she managed to do well in the research project element; which is weighted for 1/4th of the final year.

Additionally, the academic references are strong, and indicating the student's ability to undertake independent research.

In this case, what will be the decision of selection panel. Exactly I want to know the role of academic references in selection.

Will the average performance tend to be a negative factor? or else the research project and academic reference will complement this?

Let me know if possible.

Thanks.

Hi guys, thanks for your comments. I think you're all right when you say that it's inappropriate to mention personal circumstances, I'm just finding it difficult not to! The reference I have to fill out has a specific criteria to follow ie--how did the students grade rank against others in the course, how did the candidate respond to supervision etc, and I just want to screw it up and write JUST LET THEM IN, THEY DESERVE IT!