Best way to deal with a non-responsive professors?

[NDPitch]

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So there's some professors that said they'd write me LORs. The semester is over, so they should be slightly less busy now. I don't want to keep pestering them through email asking if they've been able to write it. I'm unable to drive out there and show up at their office, and I feel like calling would just be irritating.

I feel like I'm walking a fine line of being persistent or just annoying. And no one wants a LOR from someone who thinks you're annoying...

Thoughts?

 

[doc toothache]

If you have already contacted them a dozen times, take the hint and move on. If not, a friendly nudge might help.

 

[suarez 7]

Professors have their reasons for not responding to emails.
They might be on break. It's not uncommon for professors to go on a vacation right after the spring semester has ended, this was the case for me. Try asking his/her secretary or call the department and ask where the professor is.
They might be really busy and swamped and they cannot answer all emails. Your best bet is to just show up in person to their office. Also ask the TAs if they can help you.

 

[timwatley]

That's always a tough situation. You might want to find another one. Showing up at their house might get the point across as well.

 

[dantemac]

If you absolutely can not reach them by email or phone, try a personal visit. They are probably willing to help, just have 100 emails in their inbox. I know it may be a far trip, but it could be a worthwhile meeting.

 

[dentite1127]

If you absolutely can not reach them by email or phone, try a personal visit. They are probably willing to help, just have 100 emails in their inbox. I know it may be a far trip, but it could be a worthwhile meeting.

This is so true. I asked both of my science professors in person and they happily agreed to write them. After I emailed them all of my info and didn't hear back, I politely emailed both of them and got no response. A little bit after that I stopped by their offices and they immediately said something like "Oh I'm sorry, I've been meaning to get to it, been really busy, yada, yada." I said, it's no problem, I completely understand, sympathized and we set up a reasonable time for them to write them by.

The in-person visit is definitely the way to go. I know you said you can't go there in person, but if it is the difference between getting accepted or not, what is more important than that?

 

[NDPitch]

The in-person visit is definitely the way to go. I know you said you can't go there in person, but if it is the difference between getting accepted or not, what is more important than that?

True. It's just that I now work a full time job, and it's a 2.5 hour drive out there from here. And it's the summer so I don't know if they're even on campus in their offices. It would suck to drive out there and find the campus as a ghost town, and then drive all the way back, accomplishing nothing.

Both professors said they'd be happy to write, so I don't think their silence is telling me to go away. I think LORs just fall to the bottom of the list when it comes to prioritization. One professor said yes, and I've now given two reminders. The other one is a Dean, said yes, asked for materials, I provided them, and it's now been a while. I was going to shoot him a reminder email as well.

Hmph. 😕

 

[reidjones]

I think it's time to move on, you can't force them to write it.