My Rejection Letter

From: Steinbeck Institute <steinbeckinstitute@gmail.com>

Date: April 2, 2009 10:10:26 AM JST

To: ron.coia@mac.com

Subject: Steinbeck Decision

Dear Ron,

The review of applications to our summer institute, John Steinbeck: Voice of a Region, Voice for America, has been completed, and we regret to inform you that we will be unable to offer you a place in the institute.

We received 157 applications for only 25 positions. The decision-making process was challenging, as there were many more excellent applications than we could accept. Consequently, a considerable number of deserving applicants had to be passed over. We can assure you, though, that the selection committee reviewed each application with great care, and that the criteria for evaluation were fairly applied.

As you know, the National Endowment for the Humanities plans to continue to offer seminars and institutes in subsequent summers. We urge you, therefore, to apply again next summer.

My co-director, Mary Adler, and I are honored by your interest in our institute and commend you for your remarkable service to the intellectual development and growth of your students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan Shillinglaw

Professor of English

San Jose State University