Dear Admissions Official:

Mercy Novak is well suited to pursue scholarly training in communication studies. Serving as her professor, debate coach and academic advisor during her undergraduate program, I observed her strong intellectual gifts in action.

Mercy was truly one of the brightest and most dedicated students that I have had in my twenty year career.  I still use her Senior Practicum paper as a model for other students. At graduation she was recognized as the Outstanding Communication Major for her academic prowess. Noting her contribution to our institution, the faculty voted to include her among students listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.  

In addition to strong analytical skills, Mercy is talented interpersonally and consistently showed an ability to work well with a diverse range of people. As an Associated Students leader, founding editor of a university newspaper, stage set designer for a drama production and star intercollegiate debater she proved to be a valuable team player. Mercy set herself to achieving excellence in these extracurricular activities while at the same time making valuable contributions to classroom discussions and course projects.  She is the kind of person everyone wants on their team.

She also works well independently and consistently produced the best papers and speeches in my classes. My colleagues report that Mercy turned in exceptional papers and contributed to the success of their courses as well.  Her superb writing and speaking skills -- combined with a talent for analyzing complex data -- makes her an ideal candidate for graduate research studies.

For two years she competed on our nationally ranking debate team as one of our best debaters. Matched against the top students from the best institutions across the county and the world -- on topics announced fifteen minutes before each round – she proved quite successful. She won fourteen debate and speech awards at some of our region’s largest tournaments, including Lewis and Clark College, Oregon State University, and Linfield College. One highlight was winning a finalist plaque competing in a pool of six hundred students at the National Championships at Metro State University in Denver. She also debated internationally at the University of British Columbia and the World University Debating Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Altogether, she took part in more than two hundred debate rounds -- an experience that gave her a broad understanding of political controversies and developed her critical thinking and ability to express her self with poise and confidence.   

Since graduating, Mercy has returned to Northwest University to take part in debate alumni events. For the last two years has served part-time as an assistant debate coach and tournament judge – proving that she is a generous person who is willing to give of her time to serve others.  Typically, she proved quite effective as our assistant coach, helping pass on what she learned to younger students.  

Fluent in three languages, Mercy understands the dynamics of intercultural communication and is interested in applying her experience as an immigrant from India to American culture. If given the chance, her insights on the Indian-American community could be significant.

Based on my close interaction, I am sure that Mercy is capable of becoming an accomplished communication researcher. There are few other students whom I have known who show greater promise as a scholar. I highly recommend Mercy Novak for admission to the Annenberg School of Communication.