Students must be aware that no teacher is obligated to write references or recommendations for any student - irrespective of the student's class performance. Such references are a purely personal matter between the student and the teacher. Speaking for myself,  I normally do undertake to write references for undergraduate students who have done any course with me. However, please note

• for competitive positions, it is quite useless to send a letter of reference unless it carries high praise;
• whatever I write can only be based on the student's talents & performance as perceived by me;
• exaggerated/hyped recommendations not only harm the student in the long run, but, insofar as they undermine the credibility of the recommender, harm future generations of students as well.

• At least one A grade in any course taken with me.
• No C, D or F grades in any courses taken with me.
• Overall 80% attendance in any course/courses taken with me.

If you satisfy these criteria, and wish to have a reference letter, you should follow the exact procedure outlined below.

• Submit your recommendation forms at least two weeks before you want them back.
• Enclose a xerox copy of your grades in the semesters where I have taught you. If you wish to give a brief writeup about your special interests, you may do so.
• Ensure that the waiver of rights to see the reference letter is properly signed before you give the form(s) to me. If this is not signed, I cannot write for you.
• Do not submit (to me) more than 8 such forms/per person.
• Supply a good qualitywhite envelope with each form. On this, you should have:
• the words "RECOMMENDATION  LETTER  FOR  MR./MS.NAMEX.SURNAME" (your Name and Surname, not mine) written in block capitals in the top left corner
• the full address of the person to whom the letter is being sent, also in block capitals, and written in permanent ink
• appropriate stamps in the top right corner, if you want the letter to be sent directly
• no other writing/marking/stickers
• Please follow these instructions exactly. If these instructions are not properly followed I cannot write for you.
• In case you have been instructed to include the reference letter with your application, you must show me evidence (in the form of postal or courier receipts) that you have actually sent the application. Failure to do this may result in my contacting all the addressees with a request to cancel my reference.
• Place all the documents you have given me within one large envelope which will be returned to you with the sealed letters. I do not accepr loose envelopes.