Letters of recommendation for biotechnology are acceptable

So Asiddao
Staff Writer

Mira Costa offers the opportunity for fifteen freshmen to become familiar with biotechnology labs and experiments in a class called biotechnology. However, as opposed to last year when any student with a passion for science could apply, the class is open only by invitation, which makes the course very selective. Although it may seem unfair, the invitation and the letter of recommendation that must be included in the application is understandable as the class requires extensive work.

During the week of Apr. 11, biotech teacher Jessica Bledsoe sent out invitations to selected students to attend a meeting on April 15 about the class. Bledsoe explained that the class is very lab-based, and its goal is to teach students about what being in a real biology or chemistry lab is like.

With the invitation came an application that students were required to fill out if they wanted to apply. In the application, students must fill out their current academic grades and their reasons for applying to the class. The application additionally includes a section for either a math or science teacher to write a letter of recommendation to Mrs. Bledsoe.

According to Bledsoe, invitations to the biotech class are based on grades. Therefore, if students’ grades do not show that they are dedicated to science or cannot handle too much work, then it does not make sense for them to be in the class. If students truly want to be in the class, then they should first reflect that passion in their grades. This is beneficial when selecting students for the class because the more students are dedicated in a course, the better they will perform.

According to freshman Kira Walker Van-Aalst, students should be able to ask their teachers for an application and a chance to get interviewed or reconsidered. However, if students are very passionate about science and have the drive that is necessary to succeed in a three-year, lab-focused, intensive class, they would have an A or B in their science class already.

According to Bledsoe, the letter of recommendation is not to be seen by the students but in fact just given straight to Mrs. Bledsoe. Therefore, students never find out what was written about them. This is unfair to students because if they don’t get accepted into the class because of the letter, they will never know why. If students know the content of the letter, then they can correct what they were doing wrong in their performance in science class.

The application process is understandable mainly because of how students’ grades reflect their efforts in science. It is reasonable for Bledsoe to allow only students who are dedicated to science and stand out amongst their teachers into the class. However, students should be able to read their letter of recommendation.