1. August 28, 2009
Dr. James Lennon, Coordinator
M.A. in Educational Psychology Program
Professional Diploma in School Psychology
New Jersey City University
2039 Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07305
Dear Dr. Lennon:
It is my distinct pleasure to write this letter in support of Alexander Theodos’s
application to New Jersey City University’s master’s degree in educational psychology
and professional diploma in school psychology programs. As one of Mr. Theodos’s
former instructors on four distinct occasions, I have come to know him well and respect
him highly.
Mr. Theodos completed a section of sophomore-level developmental psychology that I’d
instructed in spring semester 2001. Although an entry-level offering, this class is highly
challenging in that it integrates numerous writing and critical-thinking exercises to
accompany application-oriented exams. Mr. Theodos performed as an exemplary student,
earning the highest “A” grade average in the course. In spring 2003, I was delighted to
discover that Mr. Theodos had enrolled in a section of applied psychology course,
another academically challenging introductory-level class that I’d instructed. Once more,
Mr. Theodos earned the highest “A” final grade. Based on his performance in my
undergraduate classes, Mr. Theodos literally stands in an academic league of his own
compared to other students. He was more than a standard deviation above the next
highest grade earned in each of these classes. In between these two classes, Mr. Theodos
also completed 2 one-hour special research topics classes (fall 2001 and spring 2002) that
I co-coordinated with Dr. Mark Salata, a former colleague of mine who taught
introductory biology classes at the time. In these research-oriented opportunities, Mr.
Theodos demonstrated superior work ethic combined with an amazing propensity for
follow-through and self-initiation.
Throughout my association with Mr. Theodos, I have repeatedly witnessed a combination
of admirable qualities that is becoming increasingly rare among contemporary college
students—intellectual skills, leadership abilities, emotional maturity, goal-driven
motivation, and the capacity for hard work without complaint. At all times, Mr. Theodos
presents himself as a model student. His written assignments are always meticulously
prepared and his participation in thought-provoking class discussions sets the standard for
others. Predicated on his outstanding classroom performance, I would rank him among
the top three of all students that I have taught at the collegiate level (junior college, four-
year college, and university levels) over the past 28 years.

2. In short, Mr. Theodos is an ideal candidate for admission to graduate school in your
master’s degree in educational psychology and professional diploma in school
psychology programs. Having earned both my master’s and doctoral degrees in
educational psychology, I can assure you that Mr. Theodos epitomizes the ideal skill-set
of academic skills needed to succeed at the highest levels in educational psychology and
the related discipline of school psychology. Accordingly, I recommend him to you
without reservation, as I am confident that his future academic and career paths will be
lined with mounting successes.
Thank you for this opportunity to expound on Mr. Theodos’s background and
qualifications. If I can further assist you in your review of his application, please feel free
to contact me by e-mail at joe_m@gdn.edu or by phone at 678-359-5461.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joseph A. Mayo
Professor of Psychology
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