Apologize for final being late?

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Apologize for being late?

  • Yes

    Votes: 11 64.7%

  • No (don't draw attention to it)

    Votes: 6 35.3%
  • Total voters
    17
northernlights15

northernlights15

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Hi all,

I just was asking about how not to be awkward in another recent thread but I have a question…

So I brilliantly am turning in this final late. It was due last night and I'm turning it in in a few hours. I turned all my other exams in on time.

He's a really nice guy and I know he won't take off points for it being late. I remember leaving class yesterday and some girl asked if she could turn it in later this week and he was like "yeah, sure."

Should I…
a) email the final and apologize for it being late
b) email the final, wish him a happy summer, and not draw attention to it

In all honestly, he's not gonna take off points and I do plan on asking him for a strong rec letter in the future. He's a really genuinely nice person and I feel like I shouldn't draw attention to it…What do you all think I should do?

I'm thinking I should turn it in and not draw attention to it
 
I'm going to turn in this final soon so I would appreciate any input guys!!!
 
That sounds sort of insincere…I'm leaning more toward not saying sorry at all and instead just wishing him a nice summer?
 
You're not fooling him by not pointing out that the essay is late. He knows when the deadline was, and he will know you turned it in late.

That being said, it's pretty irresponsible to turn in a final late and just assume the professor will shrug it off- especially if you're considering asking this person for a rec letter.
 
1. Apologize for it being late
2. Make a good excuse.
3. Wish him a good summer


....

And never make such a pointless thread again. Seriously if this is the kind of stuff you need advice on, idk. He seems like a nice guy and I'm sure he will know it's late regardless.

Rec letters are pretty solid, but generic unless you've got an amazing relationship with someone. Asking for one is part of the professors job, just like it is to for them to keep track of deadlines they set for papers.
 
UNMedGa said:
Man, we premeds really are neurotic. Lol

Sounds like a pretty harmless situation. No need to freak out about this. Just email it and say sorry it's late. No big.
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Agreed. Relax and enjoy the northern lights @northernlights15

northern-lights-over-water.jpg
 
Yes it's irresponsible but he's a nice guy and will accept it without any deductions. And to be honest, I don't have any excuse. I simply was not able to turn it in on time due to obligations I needed to complete earlier. @wegotthis14
 
Currently accepting good excuses to tell this professor.
 
@Catalystik you always give wonderful advice regarding these matters. What do you think I should do? Regardless I know him and I know he's not going to deduct any points.
 
Oh I don't wanna look like a tool!

So I'll attach it and be like "I am very sorry I could not get this in last night and not notifying you earlier and understand if you need to deduct points (he's not going to)."
 
northernlights15 said:
Yes it's irresponsible but he's a nice guy and will accept it without any deductions. And to be honest, I don't have any excuse. I simply was not able to turn it in on time due to obligations I needed to complete earlier. @wegotthis14
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I understand that. Still, it's perceived as irresponsible, so try not to do it in the future. Also, I wouldn't give any excuses since you don't have a good one. A false reason would definitely make it insincere.
 
You all really don't think I should simply not draw attention to it?
 
northernlights15 said:
@Catalystik you always give wonderful advice regarding these matters. What do you think I should do? Regardless I know him and I know he's not going to deduct any points.
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I face-palmed on reading the original post. Why are you on SDN and not running to turn in the exam?

As you are convinced your lateness is a non-issue, don't call attention to it with an apology. And hope he has a short memory when it comes time to ask for an LOR.
 
northernlights15 said:
You all really don't think I should simply not draw attention to it?
Click to expand...

You should do whatever you think is appropriate.

If I were a professor, I would be a bit irked if a student turned in a final late and didn't apologize. It would make me feel like the student expected to get away with it without consequences because he thought I was a "nice" professor." However, you obviously know your professor better than I do.
 
Catalystik said:
I face-palmed on reading the original post. Why are you on SDN and not running to turn in the exam?

As you are convinced your lateness is a non-issue, don't call attention to it with an apology. And hope he has a short memory when it comes time to ask for an LOR.
Click to expand...

I know I am the worst! I actually decided against not drawing attention. Honestly if he does have short term memory then he won't remember me turning it in late. I know he won't care in the sense that he won't deduct points but I don't want to offend him by assuming I can just turn it in without feeling the slightest bit guilty.

Tired said:
My feeling (and this is just a feeling):

(1) As others have said, it's not like he's not going to notice that you're late. I'm a big fan of "not drawing attention" if there's a chance you can slide one by. This doesn't seem like one of those cases. If you don't mention it, you're risking the perception of saying, "Hey, you're such a nice guy that I know I can walk all over you, so here's the final because I know you won't do anything."

(2) An excuse will sound fake, no matter what excuse you use. He's a professor. He's heard it all. Likely every true and real excuse sounds fake to him at this point.

If it were me, I would keep it short and to the point. "Dear Dr. _____, Attached is my final. I apologize for being a few hours late. Thank you for all the excellent instruction throughout this semester." Done.
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Yup, you're right. He is going to notice. I don't want to seem like a jerk.

wegotthis14 said:
You should do whatever you think is appropriate.

If I were a professor, I would be a bit irked if a student turned in a final late and didn't apologize. It would make me feel like the student expected to get away with it without consequences because he thought I was a "nice" professor." However, you obviously know your professor better than I do.
Click to expand...

I am thinking about saying this:

"Dear Dr. ____. Attached is the final. I apologize for turning it in late and would understand and accept if you need to deduct points. I really greatly enjoyed your course and hope to see you around."

I did see him say it's no big deal to some girl yesterday but I don't want him to assume that just because some other girl can that it means I think it's okay…


Also he's a really nice person…so I don't think he'll do or say anything to hurt me if he agrees to writing me a strong letter of recommendation.
 
Lawper said:
So... did you turn in the final yet?

It's been 2 hours already... :lame:
Click to expand...

Yes, I turned it in… I did end up apologizing and when he emails to me acknowledge receipt of the final, I'll let you all know his reaction.
 
Catalystik said:
I eagerly await the "rest of the story."
Click to expand...

He said something along the lines of thanking me for kind words (I thanked him for his wonderful instruction) and he hopes that I have a great summer as well. (Him along with his wife b/c I've met her as well).

He's still a good option for a LOR right?
 
I'm going to write him a glowing evaluation for the course surveys that my school sends out and I know for a fact he'll recognize my way of speaking.

Lol hopefully he'll return the favor when it comes time to asking for recommendations!
 
So, @Catalystik, if your students were to submit a course evaluation based off a course you taught them in, what would you want said about you?

I want to write him the most beautiful evaluation ever!
 
northernlights15 said:
So, @Catalystik, if your students were to submit a course evaluation based off a course you taught them in, what would you want said about you?

I want to write him the most beautiful evaluation ever!
Click to expand...
I think he'd prefer to hear your words, not mine. 😉
 
northernlights15 said:
I'm going to write him a glowing evaluation for the course surveys that my school sends out and I know for a fact he'll recognize my way of speaking.

Lol hopefully he'll return the favor when it comes time to asking for recommendations!
Click to expand...

Course evaluations are supposed to be anonymous. Stop abusing the system. Also no one cares what students say in evaluations; they're anonymous for a reason.

Edit: If you really want him to "remember and return the favor," you need to tell him how much you enjoyed his class in person. I'm sure you already know that though.
 
Last edited:
Dude, wtf. Don't be sissy, turn that sh** in.
 
ranob said:
Course evaluations are supposed to be anonymous. Stop abusing the system. Also no one cares what students say in evaluations; they're anonymous for a reason.
Click to expand...

That's rude. I don't think there's anything wrong with that! Regardless I know he'd be able to identify my writing. And even if he didn't I still want him and administration to know he's a really great professor.
 
Funny story…he returned my paper with comments within an hour or two of me turning it in. But he has yet to get back to my friend who turned it in last night lol.
 
northernlights15 said:
I'm going to write him a glowing evaluation for the course surveys that my school sends out and I know for a fact he'll recognize my way of speaking.

Lol hopefully he'll return the favor when it comes time to asking for recommendations!
Click to expand...

Have you considered that every interaction with a professor doesn't have to be coupled with the motive of getting a letter? The professor evaluation isn't there for you to scratch your professor's back and have them scratch yours. You didn't need to apologize for turning in your final late because of it affecting your LOR; you needed to apologize because you were irresponsible and decided to take advantage of the fact that your professor is lenient.
 
PantherPride said:
Have you considered that every interaction with a professor doesn't have to be coupled with the motive of getting a letter? The professor evaluation isn't there for you to scratch your professor's back and have them scratch yours. You didn't need to apologize for turning in your final late because of it affecting your LOR; you needed to apologize because you were irresponsible and decided to take advantage of the fact that your professor is lenient.
Click to expand...

Yes, but it's an option and honestly, I don't mind if he doesn't recognize that it is me. He deserves credit because he was a great professor.

And it's not taking advantage. At the end of the day, I needed to prioritize what came first. I needed to study for my other finals. I knew I could get some flexibility with this but not with my other class. So I followed suit. I studied for my other exam and turned in the other exam late (without deduction). I agree it was poor time management and irresponsible on my part. But what's done is done. I wasn't going to sacrifice finals studying time when I realized my professor would have accepted the final exam anyway. I still got the grade I wanted while still still being able to study for my other finals which didn't have the option of flexibility that my other class did.
 
Thanks all again for the advice! I'm happy with my decision.
 
northernlights15 said:
Yes, but it's an option and honestly, I don't mind if he doesn't recognize that it is me. He deserves credit because he was a great professor.

And it's not taking advantage. At the end of the day, I needed to prioritize what came first. I needed to study for my other finals. I knew I could get some flexibility with this but not with my other class. So I followed suit. I studied for my other exam and turned in the other exam late (without deduction). I agree it was poor time management and irresponsible on my part. But what's done is done. I wasn't going to sacrifice finals studying time when I realized my professor would have accepted the final exam anyway. I still got the grade I wanted while still still being able to study for my other finals which didn't have the option of flexibility that my other class did.
Click to expand...

I think it would have been in better taste to ask for extra time to take the final and explain your situation instead of just assuming he would be OK with it. But like you said whats done is done and it seems like things worked out, although things could easily have gone the other way.
 
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