A polite way to remind professors (or ask them to hurry up) with LoRs?

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elephantcaptain

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I was a thinking a short email message, but I'm really not sure how to go about this. Most of the ones I've asked have had more than a month, but still no letter 🙁 Any advice appreciated, thank you!
 
Just say something to the effect of hey how are you, I know I'm pressing the issue but the time table for applications has started and is passing. I understand you're busy, I can write the lor for you if you want etc...also, interfolio allows you to put a due date on things.
 
A small thank you card with a small ($10) giftcard to a local place is the fastest way to get a lor done.
 
YankeeBean said:
+1

Don't reward for something that hasn't been done yet.
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Don't reward at all, wtf. Say thank you. You shouldn't be giving things that costs money to professors and physicians. I think it's tactless and unethical.

Edit. Maybe a mug or shirt from the school you get accepted to after the fact. But that's about it.
 
NontradCA said:
Don't reward at all, wtf. Say thank you. You shouldn't be giving things that costs money to professors and physicians. I think it's tactless and unethical.
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It depends: I had 3 professors from undergrad, and I'm applying as a non-Trad. I kept in touch with them over the years since graduating (3) - they all were eager to provide their letters, and I got them each $50 gift pack from Omaha steak. Cardiologists I shadowed for 5 months (who became a mentor), I bought him and his staff/secretaries a $100 spread from edible arrangements. It depends on the nature of your relationship. Another soft I shadowed, I got him a $15 gold played lapel pin, which I clipped to the envelope of his thank you note I wrote - totally depends on your relationship, and your income.
 
YankeeBean said:
It depends: I had 3 professors from undergrad, and I'm applying as a non-Trad. I kept in touch with them over the years since graduating (3) - they all were eager to provide their letters, and I got them each $50 gift pack from Omaha steak. Cardiologists I shadowed for 5 months (who became a mentor), I bought him and his staff/secretaries a $100 spread from edible arrangements. It depends on the nature of your relationship. Another soft I shadowed, I got him a $15 gold played lapel pin, which I clipped to the envelope of his thank you note I wrote - totally depends on your relationship, and your income.
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This was AFTER they had submitted their letters, btw - so it was in no way unethical or a bribe by any means.
 
NontradCA said:
Don't reward at all, wtf. Say thank you. You shouldn't be giving things that costs money to professors and physicians. I think it's tactless and unethical.

Edit. Maybe a mug or shirt from the school you get accepted to after the fact. But that's about it.
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Yeah, don't arbitrarily start throwing gifts around before anything's been done. Escalate appropriately when you're pressing for a promised letter. I wrote a lot of nicely worded e-mails.

As far as general gifting goes, I bought stuff for people who went above and beyond (which is not to say writing an LOR isn't, but I mean above and beyond -that-). For example, two of the docs I shadowed let me hang out for an entire week each. So I sent both of their offices gift baskets. Both later ended up writing me pretty awesome LORs.

Then one of my professors (in addition to writing me an LOR) sat down and gave me a lot of sound application advice, and even helped me reconstruct my personal statement out of the drafts I had. That definitely warranted something nice in return.

It is not tactless and unethical to do things like that. These people went far out of their way to help you/us. There's a line where it is and isn't acceptable.
 
coolingglasses said:
Yeah, don't arbitrarily start throwing gifts around before anything's been done. Escalate appropriately when you're pressing for a promised letter. I wrote a lot of nicely worded e-mails.

As far as general gifting goes, I bought stuff for people who went above and beyond (which is not to say writing an LOR isn't, but I mean above and beyond -that-). For example, two of the docs I shadowed let me hang out for an entire week each. So I sent both of their offices gift baskets. Both later ended up writing me pretty awesome LORs.

Then one of my professors (in addition to writing me an LOR) sat down and gave me a lot of sound application advice, and even helped me reconstruct my personal statement out of the drafts I had. That definitely warranted something nice in return.

It is not tactless and unethical to do things like that. These people went far out of their way to help you/us. There's a line where it is and isn't acceptable.
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It's their job to do these things...c'mon now. Any physician who says "I don't have time for students" is someone I would be wary about. And the professor? They're literally getting paid for that.
 
NontradCA said:
It's their job to do these things...c'mon now. Any physician who says "I don't have time for students" is someone I would be wary about. And the professor? They're literally getting paid for that.
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I plain old disagree. Neither professors nor physicians are obliged to do any of the things I mentioned.

Yeah, professors are supposed to have office hours and help their students out with class material. But they're under no obligation to sit down and write you a great letter. For a lot of them, they expect it, but it's not an obligation. They could easily just say no. An expectation in the application process doesn't make it their job. And certainly spending hours reconstructing my PS is way beyond their job description.

Same goes for physicians outside of teaching hospitals (of which neither were associated with), moreso since they don't see students on a regular basis. Their job obligations involve a lot of things, but shadowing isn't one of them (as evidenced by the struggles of students in Pre-DO trying to find docs to shadow).

On the flip side, you're not obligated to say anything other than thank you. But I chose to do those things because I was highly appreciative of the extra gestures. It's not like I came in to shadow for a couple of hours a day each time. I hung out for 8-12 hour shifts every day.
 
coolingglasses said:
I plain old disagree. Neither professors nor physicians are obliged to do any of the things I mentioned.

Yeah, professors are supposed to have office hours and help their students out with class material. But they're under no obligation to sit down and write you a great letter. For a lot of them, they expect it, but it's not an obligation. They could easily just say no. An expectation in the application process doesn't make it their job. And certainly spending hours reconstructing my PS is way beyond their job description.

Same goes for physicians outside of teaching hospitals (of which neither were associated with), moreso since they don't see students on a regular basis. Their job obligations involve a lot of things, but shadowing isn't one of them (as evidenced by the struggles of students in Pre-DO trying to find docs to shadow).

On the flip side, you're not obligated to say anything other than thank you. But I chose to do those things because I was highly appreciative of the extra gestures. It's not like I came in to shadow for a couple of hours a day each time. I hung out for 8-12 hour shifts every day.
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So there's no expectation to mentor students for professors? The positions at universities are such that faculty do their work per job description? Sure they could "simply say no", have you EVER heard of a professor flat out saying no to a student and no explanation? It's because it's not customary in the profession as a teacher to not take on the roll as a mentor. If a student seeks out advice or help from a professor they are ethically bound to help.

The same goes with the physician. Allowing people to shadow and teach them is directly effecting the public knowledge of healthcare. It's not like you're hanging on their shoulders begging for a lodging. You're actually playing to their ego by letting them be the teacher and be in the position they're in (which is why most do it by the way). It also serves to benefit themselves since it increases their public perception. Mind you that medicine in general is an educational profession.

The viewpoint you have on this is perverse, as its reminiscent of the rhetoric you'd see on here of these pissy residents and students about how bad medicine is or how ungrateful people are. Hmm ever thought of stopping that cycle? It's the same kinda ****; students playing to the admissions committee about some altruism, then rolling their eyes whenever they get the chance. If you stop playing to the self serving attitude, it will change those who have it.
 
NontradCA said:
So there's no expectation to mentor students for professors? The positions at universities are such that faculty do their work per job description? Sure they could "simply say no", have you EVER heard of a professor flat out saying no to a student and no explanation? It's because it's not customary in the profession as a teacher to not take on the roll as a mentor. If a student seeks out advice or help from a professor they are ethically bound to help.

The same goes with the physician. Allowing people to shadow and teach them is directly effecting the public knowledge of healthcare. It's not like you're hanging on their shoulders begging for a lodging. You're actually playing to their ego by letting them be the teacher and be in the position they're in (which is why most do it by the way). It also serves to benefit themselves since it increases their public perception. Mind you that medicine in general is an educational profession.

The viewpoint you have on this is perverse, as its reminiscent of the rhetoric you'd see on here of these pissy residents and students about how bad medicine is or how ungrateful people are. Hmm ever thought of stopping that cycle? It's the same kinda ****; students playing to the admissions committee about some altruism, then rolling their eyes whenever they get the chance. If you stop playing to the self serving attitude, it will change those who have it.
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In what way is my viewpoint perverse? I'm not sitting here saying people should buy off the endorsements of professors and physicians. I had other LORs and shadowing done and they were great experiences/letters too, but these three specific people went far above my expectations. I didn't do what I did because I thought they might be expecting it (and judging by their responses, they weren't), nor will I harbor any of those expectations in the same position. I just wanted to.

Sure, let's agree that there's an obligation to do the things discussed for students in general. But I was a numerically ****ty applicant. Average MCAT, bad grades. Some good life experiences, I guess. Why should they have been be willing to take me under their wing? Who knows. But they did, in full, without reservation. And for that, I was extremely gracious. Sure, I can write a mean secondary, but they are undoubtedly a big part of why I made it here, and why my app cycle turned out better than anyone expected.
 
Two people ride on the same airport shuttle. When they reach their destination, the drive grabs their bags and carries them down the steps for them. One individual is appreciative and tips the driver a few dollars. The other walks off with the bags, thinking it is strange to tip someone who is getting paid already for doing there job. Which person is in the right?

It's the same with the situation after receiving a letter. Whether you look at it in a light of appreciation for someone going out of their way or simply as them doing their job, it's fine. It all boils down to the individuals outlook.
 
If practical, you can always leave a nice voice mail or randomly show up at their office. That works sometimes. Good luck to you.
 
I told them the deadline was 2 weeks before it actually was and e-mailed them 3 days before saying "Interfolio says it hasn't received your letter yet. Just a friendly reminder that the deadline is in 3 days." They all delivered, but half of them did on the last day just hours before the supposed deadline.
 
Whoa, I didn't realise that giving gifts was at all controversial. I plan to give all my LOR writers a thank you card with some chocolate or a coffee mug or something. I usually give my professors chocolate and a card after each semester. I didn't realise that could be perceived as inappropriate -- I just thought it was a good way to show appreciation!
 
sunflower18 said:
Whoa, I didn't realise that giving gifts was at all controversial. I plan to give all my LOR writers a thank you card with some chocolate or a coffee mug or something. I usually give my professors chocolate and a card after each semester. I didn't realise that could be perceived as inappropriate -- I just thought it was a good way to show appreciation!
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I mean, if I wasn't clear, I think it's completely acceptable to just say thank you. Most of us are on loans and can't be expected to buy stuff. I just chose to for people I thought stepped way, way out for me, and I feel pretty alright about what I did.
 
coolingglasses said:
In what way is my viewpoint perverse? I'm not sitting here saying people should buy off the endorsements of professors and physicians. I had other LORs and shadowing done and they were great experiences/letters too, but these three specific people went far above my expectations. I didn't do what I did because I thought they might be expecting it (and judging by their responses, they weren't), nor will I harbor any of those expectations in the same position. I just wanted to.

Sure, let's agree that there's an obligation to do the things discussed for students in general. But I was a numerically ****ty applicant. Average MCAT, bad grades. Some good life experiences, I guess. Why should they have been be willing to take me under their wing? Who knows. But they did, in full, without reservation. And for that, I was extremely gracious. Sure, I can write a mean secondary, but they are undoubtedly a big part of why I made it here, and why my app cycle turned out better than anyone expected.
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I'm not saying what you did personally, just the whole idea that LORs are going far out of their way to write a letter that they themselves have asked for at some point. It's a normal occurrence for them to do such things. As to the OPs case, I think he shouldn't give a gift beforehand and not even after, just say thank you. If the person genuinely thinks highly of you then they should be ok with that. Hell, they might get offended if you send them something.
 
NontradCA said:
I'm not saying what you did personally, just the whole idea that LORs are going far out of their way to write a letter that they themselves have asked for at some point. It's a normal occurrence for them to do such things. As to the OPs case, I think he shouldn't give a gift beforehand and not even after, just say thank you. If the person genuinely thinks highly of you then they should be ok with that. Hell, they might get offended if you send them something.
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I'm not sure I disagreed with you then... probably just got defensive.
 
Just send a thank you card. If you feel like the letter writer would be comfortable receiving a gift, then give a gift.








P.S. Just saying, watch how fast your letters come in if you send a Starbucks gift card 😉
 
I basically agree with everything people have said but wanted to let you know I was totally in the same boat. I went with sending basically weekly emails with "Letter Follow Up" as the subject and saying "I hate to be a pain, I know how busy you must be but since the applications are on a rolling basis, it's important for me to gather my letters as quickly as possible and Interfolio says your letter hasn't been submitted yet. Would it be possible to have this finished by X date? I wouldn't be bothering you if it weren't very important. I really appreciate your time and effort in putting this together. Thanks in advance!" I was pretty successful that way (all of my letters have been turned in). And yeah, as others said, a preemptive thank you note can light a bit of a fire under them to hurry up.
 
I had the issue with my physician letter. She was past the deadline and since I had only shadowed her for ~25 hours, I didn't want her to forget me and then write a generic letter. So I dropped into her clinic one day and brought flowers and a thank you card. She was really appreciative of it. She submitted the letter two days later. She even sent me an email later on saying how professional I had been about it and how she would gladly be a colleague of mine in the future.

In my experience, giving a gift is not a bad thing, as long as you dont overdo with the gift. I have a close relationship with both my science letter writers so I'm planning on taking a bottle of their favorite wine/scotch later on in the cycle.
 
Brick through the window with a note on it imo.
 
I personally like to do the 'ol

"I just wanted to make sure you got the inter folio request, because sometimes it can go to the junk folder"
 
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