Frequently Asked Questions

Are you taking research students this summer?

I am not running a MAP during summer 2024, but there are many other exciting research opportunities in the CS department. Watch for email about other opportunities, and plan to attend the spring CS Extra about summer MAPs in late January or early February.

Will you be my advisor?

The computer science department has a formal process for matching advisors with new majors. This process runs each spring semester, and is announced via email. You will have an opportunity to express preferences for advisors, but I do not take advisees outside of this process.

Will you write me a letter of recommendation?

Yes, as long as you have taken a class I taught or worked with me in some other capacity (mentor, grader, research assistant, etc.). To request a letter of recommendation, please complete this Recommendation Request Form at least two weeks before the first letter is due. If you are unable to log in because your Grinnell account is inactive just send me an email and I can share a link to a different form. Please do not list me as a letter writer on any applications until you hear from me after submitting the form. You only need to submit this form one time for each type of program you are applying to. If you have an urgent request that is past the two-week deadline, please send an email and I will do my best to help.

Can I list you as a reference on a job or internship application?

Yes, but please talk to me first. I am always happy to serve as a reference, but I will be a more helpful reference if I know something about the job you are applying to. If you need a letter of recommendation, please see the recommendation item above.

I would prefer to take CSC 213. If I take CSC 211 will I be cut from 213?

The department recommends both courses, so we do our best to allow students to take both whenever possible. There are a few cases where we have cut students from CSC 213 or CSC 211 because they did not need the course to graduate, but we are doing our best to keep these cases to a minimum.

I hear you're pretty good at debugging. Can you help me debug my program?

I’d like to help, but depending on the bug I may not have time to help. I am generally interested in hearing about bugs, even if I don’t know how to fix them. Just send me an email with your question and we can set up a time to meet.

I have a question that I think should be on this list. Can you add it?

Maybe. Send it to me by email and I’ll consider adding it to this page.