Requesting a Letter of Recommendation—did I do something wrong?












2















My situation is as follows:



I requested a recommendation letter to a professor and he agreed to write one for me. However, the application* to which he needed to upload the letter required a Google account to sign in. He didn't have an account, so he emailed me what he should do, so I kindly told him that he needed to create one, detailing the steps he needed to take. This is when my professor emailed me back rather harshly, asking why he couldn't just submit using just his faculty email. I had to then email the program, and I was told to ask my professor to send the letter directly to the correspondent.



I understand that this is not that big of an issue, but I would like to know whether it was wrongful of me to have asked my professor to create the Google account. How can I be more careful in the future so as to prevent negative responses?



Thank you.



*By 'application' I meant a Google form.










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    2















    My situation is as follows:



    I requested a recommendation letter to a professor and he agreed to write one for me. However, the application* to which he needed to upload the letter required a Google account to sign in. He didn't have an account, so he emailed me what he should do, so I kindly told him that he needed to create one, detailing the steps he needed to take. This is when my professor emailed me back rather harshly, asking why he couldn't just submit using just his faculty email. I had to then email the program, and I was told to ask my professor to send the letter directly to the correspondent.



    I understand that this is not that big of an issue, but I would like to know whether it was wrongful of me to have asked my professor to create the Google account. How can I be more careful in the future so as to prevent negative responses?



    Thank you.



    *By 'application' I meant a Google form.










    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    Michael B. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.























      2












      2








      2








      My situation is as follows:



      I requested a recommendation letter to a professor and he agreed to write one for me. However, the application* to which he needed to upload the letter required a Google account to sign in. He didn't have an account, so he emailed me what he should do, so I kindly told him that he needed to create one, detailing the steps he needed to take. This is when my professor emailed me back rather harshly, asking why he couldn't just submit using just his faculty email. I had to then email the program, and I was told to ask my professor to send the letter directly to the correspondent.



      I understand that this is not that big of an issue, but I would like to know whether it was wrongful of me to have asked my professor to create the Google account. How can I be more careful in the future so as to prevent negative responses?



      Thank you.



      *By 'application' I meant a Google form.










      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Michael B. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      My situation is as follows:



      I requested a recommendation letter to a professor and he agreed to write one for me. However, the application* to which he needed to upload the letter required a Google account to sign in. He didn't have an account, so he emailed me what he should do, so I kindly told him that he needed to create one, detailing the steps he needed to take. This is when my professor emailed me back rather harshly, asking why he couldn't just submit using just his faculty email. I had to then email the program, and I was told to ask my professor to send the letter directly to the correspondent.



      I understand that this is not that big of an issue, but I would like to know whether it was wrongful of me to have asked my professor to create the Google account. How can I be more careful in the future so as to prevent negative responses?



      Thank you.



      *By 'application' I meant a Google form.







      recommendation-letter






      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Michael B. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Michael B. is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      share|improve this question




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      edited 2 hours ago







      Michael B.













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      asked 3 hours ago









      Michael B.Michael B.

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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          4














          My best guess, and just a guess, is that he was frustrated with the system that was required, rather than with you. It is probably a mistake for any admissions system to require an email address from a particular provider (unless it was for a job at Google, I suppose).



          I don't think you made an error, but if you want to ease the waters, go see him and apologize for the hassle of it all. It would probably be a mistake to just forget about it, but also a mistake to obsess over it.



          Such systems infuriate me, also. Such extra accounts are always a security/privacy issue.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I agree with "It is probably a mistake for any admissions system ..."; in fact, my first reaction when reading the question was that no admissions system would require a Google account and that this professor was probably misunderstanding something on the web site.

            – Andreas Blass
            2 hours ago











          • Asked for a recommendation and being happy with the student, I am happy to write it. I am not happy, however, to start having a fight with the submission system. Think this way: the recommendation is written after hours, late at night, it's done - then, I have to spend another 20 minutes or more after midnight to merely get it onto whatever system somebody happens to use; worse, if I need to register - why should I be blanketed with dozens of registrations which are only ever used once?

            – Captain Emacs
            9 mins ago



















          0














          I don't think it was some awful error. Like you have wounded the man.



          I DO think in general that you should think about how people can help you and to make it convenient for them. And that what to you as the one who is benefiting (or as a possibly more tech savvy person) is normal may not be for them. Probably you should have asked the program ahead of asking the person how to handle people who did not want to create a login (and given the option ahead of time).



          The only reason I am belaboring this is it is a bit of a general learning. Applies for customers in the business world, bosses approving expenses, etc. etc. The more you can make it easy in "hassle factor", the better. Make it easy for people to give you what you want! Maybe it shouldn't be this way and only the real big issues should be considered. But that's not how things work.






          share|improve this answer








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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            4














            My best guess, and just a guess, is that he was frustrated with the system that was required, rather than with you. It is probably a mistake for any admissions system to require an email address from a particular provider (unless it was for a job at Google, I suppose).



            I don't think you made an error, but if you want to ease the waters, go see him and apologize for the hassle of it all. It would probably be a mistake to just forget about it, but also a mistake to obsess over it.



            Such systems infuriate me, also. Such extra accounts are always a security/privacy issue.






            share|improve this answer
























            • I agree with "It is probably a mistake for any admissions system ..."; in fact, my first reaction when reading the question was that no admissions system would require a Google account and that this professor was probably misunderstanding something on the web site.

              – Andreas Blass
              2 hours ago











            • Asked for a recommendation and being happy with the student, I am happy to write it. I am not happy, however, to start having a fight with the submission system. Think this way: the recommendation is written after hours, late at night, it's done - then, I have to spend another 20 minutes or more after midnight to merely get it onto whatever system somebody happens to use; worse, if I need to register - why should I be blanketed with dozens of registrations which are only ever used once?

              – Captain Emacs
              9 mins ago
















            4














            My best guess, and just a guess, is that he was frustrated with the system that was required, rather than with you. It is probably a mistake for any admissions system to require an email address from a particular provider (unless it was for a job at Google, I suppose).



            I don't think you made an error, but if you want to ease the waters, go see him and apologize for the hassle of it all. It would probably be a mistake to just forget about it, but also a mistake to obsess over it.



            Such systems infuriate me, also. Such extra accounts are always a security/privacy issue.






            share|improve this answer
























            • I agree with "It is probably a mistake for any admissions system ..."; in fact, my first reaction when reading the question was that no admissions system would require a Google account and that this professor was probably misunderstanding something on the web site.

              – Andreas Blass
              2 hours ago











            • Asked for a recommendation and being happy with the student, I am happy to write it. I am not happy, however, to start having a fight with the submission system. Think this way: the recommendation is written after hours, late at night, it's done - then, I have to spend another 20 minutes or more after midnight to merely get it onto whatever system somebody happens to use; worse, if I need to register - why should I be blanketed with dozens of registrations which are only ever used once?

              – Captain Emacs
              9 mins ago














            4












            4








            4







            My best guess, and just a guess, is that he was frustrated with the system that was required, rather than with you. It is probably a mistake for any admissions system to require an email address from a particular provider (unless it was for a job at Google, I suppose).



            I don't think you made an error, but if you want to ease the waters, go see him and apologize for the hassle of it all. It would probably be a mistake to just forget about it, but also a mistake to obsess over it.



            Such systems infuriate me, also. Such extra accounts are always a security/privacy issue.






            share|improve this answer













            My best guess, and just a guess, is that he was frustrated with the system that was required, rather than with you. It is probably a mistake for any admissions system to require an email address from a particular provider (unless it was for a job at Google, I suppose).



            I don't think you made an error, but if you want to ease the waters, go see him and apologize for the hassle of it all. It would probably be a mistake to just forget about it, but also a mistake to obsess over it.



            Such systems infuriate me, also. Such extra accounts are always a security/privacy issue.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 2 hours ago









            BuffyBuffy

            41.8k10135216




            41.8k10135216













            • I agree with "It is probably a mistake for any admissions system ..."; in fact, my first reaction when reading the question was that no admissions system would require a Google account and that this professor was probably misunderstanding something on the web site.

              – Andreas Blass
              2 hours ago











            • Asked for a recommendation and being happy with the student, I am happy to write it. I am not happy, however, to start having a fight with the submission system. Think this way: the recommendation is written after hours, late at night, it's done - then, I have to spend another 20 minutes or more after midnight to merely get it onto whatever system somebody happens to use; worse, if I need to register - why should I be blanketed with dozens of registrations which are only ever used once?

              – Captain Emacs
              9 mins ago



















            • I agree with "It is probably a mistake for any admissions system ..."; in fact, my first reaction when reading the question was that no admissions system would require a Google account and that this professor was probably misunderstanding something on the web site.

              – Andreas Blass
              2 hours ago











            • Asked for a recommendation and being happy with the student, I am happy to write it. I am not happy, however, to start having a fight with the submission system. Think this way: the recommendation is written after hours, late at night, it's done - then, I have to spend another 20 minutes or more after midnight to merely get it onto whatever system somebody happens to use; worse, if I need to register - why should I be blanketed with dozens of registrations which are only ever used once?

              – Captain Emacs
              9 mins ago

















            I agree with "It is probably a mistake for any admissions system ..."; in fact, my first reaction when reading the question was that no admissions system would require a Google account and that this professor was probably misunderstanding something on the web site.

            – Andreas Blass
            2 hours ago





            I agree with "It is probably a mistake for any admissions system ..."; in fact, my first reaction when reading the question was that no admissions system would require a Google account and that this professor was probably misunderstanding something on the web site.

            – Andreas Blass
            2 hours ago













            Asked for a recommendation and being happy with the student, I am happy to write it. I am not happy, however, to start having a fight with the submission system. Think this way: the recommendation is written after hours, late at night, it's done - then, I have to spend another 20 minutes or more after midnight to merely get it onto whatever system somebody happens to use; worse, if I need to register - why should I be blanketed with dozens of registrations which are only ever used once?

            – Captain Emacs
            9 mins ago





            Asked for a recommendation and being happy with the student, I am happy to write it. I am not happy, however, to start having a fight with the submission system. Think this way: the recommendation is written after hours, late at night, it's done - then, I have to spend another 20 minutes or more after midnight to merely get it onto whatever system somebody happens to use; worse, if I need to register - why should I be blanketed with dozens of registrations which are only ever used once?

            – Captain Emacs
            9 mins ago











            0














            I don't think it was some awful error. Like you have wounded the man.



            I DO think in general that you should think about how people can help you and to make it convenient for them. And that what to you as the one who is benefiting (or as a possibly more tech savvy person) is normal may not be for them. Probably you should have asked the program ahead of asking the person how to handle people who did not want to create a login (and given the option ahead of time).



            The only reason I am belaboring this is it is a bit of a general learning. Applies for customers in the business world, bosses approving expenses, etc. etc. The more you can make it easy in "hassle factor", the better. Make it easy for people to give you what you want! Maybe it shouldn't be this way and only the real big issues should be considered. But that's not how things work.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.

























              0














              I don't think it was some awful error. Like you have wounded the man.



              I DO think in general that you should think about how people can help you and to make it convenient for them. And that what to you as the one who is benefiting (or as a possibly more tech savvy person) is normal may not be for them. Probably you should have asked the program ahead of asking the person how to handle people who did not want to create a login (and given the option ahead of time).



              The only reason I am belaboring this is it is a bit of a general learning. Applies for customers in the business world, bosses approving expenses, etc. etc. The more you can make it easy in "hassle factor", the better. Make it easy for people to give you what you want! Maybe it shouldn't be this way and only the real big issues should be considered. But that's not how things work.






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.























                0












                0








                0







                I don't think it was some awful error. Like you have wounded the man.



                I DO think in general that you should think about how people can help you and to make it convenient for them. And that what to you as the one who is benefiting (or as a possibly more tech savvy person) is normal may not be for them. Probably you should have asked the program ahead of asking the person how to handle people who did not want to create a login (and given the option ahead of time).



                The only reason I am belaboring this is it is a bit of a general learning. Applies for customers in the business world, bosses approving expenses, etc. etc. The more you can make it easy in "hassle factor", the better. Make it easy for people to give you what you want! Maybe it shouldn't be this way and only the real big issues should be considered. But that's not how things work.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.










                I don't think it was some awful error. Like you have wounded the man.



                I DO think in general that you should think about how people can help you and to make it convenient for them. And that what to you as the one who is benefiting (or as a possibly more tech savvy person) is normal may not be for them. Probably you should have asked the program ahead of asking the person how to handle people who did not want to create a login (and given the option ahead of time).



                The only reason I am belaboring this is it is a bit of a general learning. Applies for customers in the business world, bosses approving expenses, etc. etc. The more you can make it easy in "hassle factor", the better. Make it easy for people to give you what you want! Maybe it shouldn't be this way and only the real big issues should be considered. But that's not how things work.







                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer






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                answered 2 hours ago









                guestguest

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