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If you have no other options, then I would do what DV-T recommends. But the last thing you want is a bad letter so if the prof denies that request, I would probably search for someone else. Seems like a total @ss for not writing you a letter as most profs understand that writing letters is part of the job description. Unless the prof has reason to not want to write you a letter. Listen to your gut. Goodluck!
 
I would ask if you can write a draft for them, and they can look over and sign it. This is the strategy I used for professors who are super busy, like those that teach huge intro level classes. It will at least alleviate anxiety about getting a rushed, bad letter
 
PurpleSails said:
I would ask if you can write a draft for them, and they can look over and sign it. This is the strategy I used for professors who are super busy, like those that teach huge intro level classes. It will at least alleviate anxiety about getting a rushed, bad letter
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I would actually try to meet him in person and ask again if this method doesn’t work.

But I bet you if you write a draft he would submit it
 
I am sorry this is happening to you in this most stressful process. I agree with everything that has been said. Professors do get really busy and this is not one of of their favorite things to do. I have been asked for recommendation etc for various reasons over the years and I dreaded it because of the time factor. I often would ask the student to write something and I would review it, edit as necessary etc.

So I think contacting the Professor again and offer to write it for him and he can edit, etc. Just make sure whatever you send him is polished so he has to do very little work.

Hope this makes since, and I think this is going to have a happy ending.


Nancy
 
I'm pretty sure the professor is not betraying you even though you feel that way. Manage your relationships properly and as suggested above, try to work with the professor's situation to meet him/her halfway. We never show all of our struggles in public, so there is probably something happening that isn't your business but affects his availability.

That said, if he said no, he doesn't feel like he can write you a strong letter, take a little time to figure out the reasons. Maybe he doesn't understand your situation in how you value him to be one of three science professor letters. At any rate, if you know the value of his perspective in your overall application packet, maybe you can articulate why you feel it is vital to providing a complete picture to anyone scrutinizing your app.
 
Mr.Smile12 said:
I'm pretty sure the professor is not betraying you even though you feel that way. Manage your relationships properly and as suggested above, try to work with the professor's situation to meet him/her halfway. We never show all of our struggles in public, so there is probably something happening that isn't your business but affects his availability.

That said, if he said no, he doesn't feel like he can write you a strong letter, take a little time to figure out the reasons. Maybe he doesn't understand your situation in how you value him to be one of three science professor letters. At any rate, if you know the value of his perspective in your overall application packet, maybe you can articulate why you feel it is vital to providing a complete picture to anyone scrutinizing your app.
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He eventually said yes! Thank you for your words
 
The sense of entitlement is palpable. Being too busy to perform a function is a diplomatic way of saying no, although in the 21st century it appears that, at least for some, the adverb has a confusing meaning. LORs are likely requested because adcoms are interested in an honest assessment of applicant's potential as future practitioner/professional. Since schools specify the sources for the lors, it stands to reason they are not particularly interested in how applicants view themselves. If they were interested in reading only superlative adjectives, they would likely accept lors from Uncle Hoss or Aunt Eunice; the latter fully convinced their nephew and niece can walk on water. It is unfortunate that some of the sdn gurus see nothing obtrusive about trying to circumvent the process. One could suggest that an applicant who writes his/her own lor is lying about the source of the document while the author of the lor is lying by signing a document which he/she didn't write or, at best, plagiarized. One wonders how these future practitioners would view an lor for a position of assistant, dental hygienist, office manager or associate that was written by none other than the applicant him/herself.
 
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