University Apartments £304
Bloomington, Indiana
February 7, 1952

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

After several days to think it over, I have concluded that
the full-time position you mentioned as a possible alternative
to a part-time assistantship has many decided advantages to it.
Although I still wish to be considered for a regular assistantship,
in the event that I should not succeed in obtaining one I would
very much want to come on the full-time basis. Could you please
let me know definitely whether or not the position would be
available to me under these circumstances, and if so exactly what
the terms and duties would be?

In the course of our interview you asked whether I would care
to make any statements about my transcript. I did not at that time
because it is not ny custom tomake excuses. However, in re-examining
the record, I feel that perhaps I ought to mention two points.
First, particularly during my undergraduate work I suffered from
a rather exhausting chronic infectious sononucleosis that even
caused my withdrawal from school during my second semester. Second,
I come from a large family that, following the war, underwent
a number of very unfortunate difficulties which affected me especially
in the years 1948 and 1949. Though I personally feel that both
of these troubles are reflected in my marks, I would not request
anyone to take them into account in forming a judgement. However,
since you did ask, I decided I might as well mention them.

The zrades for this semester have just been published. Enclosed
is the official report which will bring ypur copy of my record
up-to-date. Also, Dr. Muller has asked me to tell you that I audited
Dr. Luria's virus course which he used to zive here. I must add
that this was a lone time azo, when I was relatively uninitiated
scientifically; still, it must have been at least somewhat beneficial.

The trip to Madison certainly was of great value in allowing
me to discuss matters with you and to see the conditions there
first-hand. Thank you very much for suzgzesting that I make the
visit.

Sincerely yours,