Crappy Professors and LOR's

[SpikeyMike83]

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I'm just venting because this situation makes me irritated...

My advisor is a great man, and a wonderful professor, but he is really bad about sending LOR's. I had to practically stalk him to get him to send my letter to MCG (which even though he "faxed" STILL wasn't there at the time of my interview). And lets not even discuss AADSAS. He never sent it, and I just gave up.

He did the same to a girl last year who applied to medical school. She told me that she was not accepted to Mercer because he hadn't sent her LOR in. Another girl who graduated in December was having the same trouble getting him to mail an LOR to MCG medical.

My roommate had a very similar but more irritating problem that would basically cause me to go berserk. He sent his med school application in early and everything, and this professor claimed to have sent/faxed LORs to the schools, but the deadline came and went and they had never received his LORs despite them having been "sent/faxed" twice. He actually called me a few hours ago from his MCG interview and told me that the LOR hadn't ever arrived there either!

I want people's opinion on this matter. He's THE pre-health advisor here at my school, and yet he's highly unreliable. Any ideas of what to do when I'm reapplying other than start harassing him early??

 

[Toothinator]

Take it to the next level. Find out who is in charge of him and either write them a letter or go speak to them in person about your situation. Good Luck!

 

[envirodent]

I'm just venting because this situation makes me irritated...

My advisor is a great man, and a wonderful professor, but he is really bad about sending LOR's. I had to practically stalk him to get him to send my letter to MCG (which even though he "faxed" STILL wasn't there at the time of my interview). And lets not even discuss AADSAS. He never sent it, and I just gave up.

He did the same to a girl last year who applied to medical school. She told me that she was not accepted to Mercer because he hadn't sent her LOR in. Another girl who graduated in December was having the same trouble getting him to mail an LOR to MCG medical.

My roommate had a very similar but more irritating problem that would basically cause me to go berserk. He sent his med school application in early and everything, and this professor claimed to have sent/faxed LORs to the schools, but the deadline came and went and they had never received his LORs despite them having been "sent/faxed" twice. He actually called me a few hours ago from his MCG interview and told me that the LOR hadn't ever arrived there either!

I want people's opinion on this matter. He's THE pre-health advisor here at my school, and yet he's highly unreliable. Any ideas of what to do when I'm reapplying other than start harassing him early??

Honestly, I would make a complaint to who ever is "above" him (department chair, dean of academic affairs etc.) because his actions regarding letters of rec. for you are not a one-time-accident, but rather a consistent lack of respect for students and a hindrance to their ability to reach higher education. Since he is THE pre-health advisor, it is his job to write these letters of rec. (especially for med students who often have to have a pre-health advisor LOR) and, as a student, it is your responsibility to make it known that he is not fulfilling his obligation to the university’s students. According to my boss (who is also a professor, an advisor and my PI), letters of rec. should be considered one of the most important and time-sensitive responsibilities of being a professor. If a prof. cannot or does not want to write the letter, then he/she has the right to say no, but if they say yes, then they should follow through.

I would definitely make a formal complaint about this professor with documented evidence from the other students’ encounters mentioned above, especially since he is the pre-health advisor. Obviously, this may not guarantee you a reference in the future, but was he that great of a reference if the letter never gets there?

FYI: These pre-health advisors often get teaching credit for taking on these positions, which means they don’t have to teach as much…so that they have more time to advise students and write letters of rec. (on time!!).

 

[geckel]

I'm just venting because this situation makes me irritated...

My advisor is a great man, and a wonderful professor, but he is really bad about sending LOR's. I had to practically stalk him to get him to send my letter to MCG (which even though he "faxed" STILL wasn't there at the time of my interview). And lets not even discuss AADSAS. He never sent it, and I just gave up.

He did the same to a girl last year who applied to medical school. She told me that she was not accepted to Mercer because he hadn't sent her LOR in. Another girl who graduated in December was having the same trouble getting him to mail an LOR to MCG medical.

My roommate had a very similar but more irritating problem that would basically cause me to go berserk. He sent his med school application in early and everything, and this professor claimed to have sent/faxed LORs to the schools, but the deadline came and went and they had never received his LORs despite them having been "sent/faxed" twice. He actually called me a few hours ago from his MCG interview and told me that the LOR hadn't ever arrived there either!

I want people's opinion on this matter. He's THE pre-health advisor here at my school, and yet he's highly unreliable. Any ideas of what to do when I'm reapplying other than start harassing him early??

Does he relize that timing in the application process is everything. Maybe you should casually bring up this factor when you speak to him about your plans for dental school or when you are discussing the details of your application. When time comes to apply you could ask him when he will be sending off the letters......say that you have began speaking with an adcom and they inquired when your application would be complete. This will give him a deadline. Good luck

 

[Dutchboy]

Kidnap one of his kids and leave a note demanding your LOR's be sent on a certain date. Everytime he dosen't follow through send him an ear or something in the mail. Trust me, he'll come around. I had to seriously hound one of my proffesors to turn in one of my LOR's, but after he got his kid's pinkie toe it was in the next day. Seriously though, if you have to make a complaint to a higher faculty member keep it anonymous.

 

[djktennis]

I'm just venting because this situation makes me irritated...

My advisor is a great man, and a wonderful professor, but he is really bad about sending LOR's. I had to practically stalk him to get him to send my letter to MCG (which even though he "faxed" STILL wasn't there at the time of my interview). And lets not even discuss AADSAS. He never sent it, and I just gave up.

He did the same to a girl last year who applied to medical school. She told me that she was not accepted to Mercer because he hadn't sent her LOR in. Another girl who graduated in December was having the same trouble getting him to mail an LOR to MCG medical.

My roommate had a very similar but more irritating problem that would basically cause me to go berserk. He sent his med school application in early and everything, and this professor claimed to have sent/faxed LORs to the schools, but the deadline came and went and they had never received his LORs despite them having been "sent/faxed" twice. He actually called me a few hours ago from his MCG interview and told me that the LOR hadn't ever arrived there either!

I want people's opinion on this matter. He's THE pre-health advisor here at my school, and yet he's highly unreliable. Any ideas of what to do when I'm reapplying other than start harassing him early??

I had the exact same problem you did so I feel your pain. I had two professors who it took 2 months to send my letter. They wouldn't respond to numerous phone calls and emails. Finally I went to the VP of Academic Affairs at my school and explained the situation and my frustrations. My letters were sent the next day. Although it sucks to have to go over the head of your professor, sometimes its the only way.

 

[SpikeyMike83]

Yes. This professor is one who doesn't respond to phone calls (partly because he only has set office hours to appease higher powers) and he doesn't respond to e-mail. I did find out that he DOES read them, just doesn't take the time to respond so you know that he has gotten your message.

when its something important you'd think he'd respond.

I talked to my friend after his interview today. They basically said "your advisor needs to fax us his LOR immediately and mail the original right away". I told him to go to the chair to make it happen.

If I have to reapply, AADSAS is going out the first week its available and he's getting the letters in ASAP too. even if his son loses a finger or two 😉

 

[ecrown]

Yes. This professor is one who doesn't respond to phone calls (partly because he only has set office hours to appease higher powers) and he doesn't respond to e-mail. I did find out that he DOES read them, just doesn't take the time to respond so you know that he has gotten your message.

when its something important you'd think he'd respond.

I talked to my friend after his interview today. They basically said "your advisor needs to fax us his LOR immediately and mail the original right away". I told him to go to the chair to make it happen.

If I have to reapply, AADSAS is going out the first week its available and he's getting the letters in ASAP too. even if his son loses a finger or two 😉

I would switch for another pre-health advisor where possible. A person that irresponsible would probably not write you a good LOR, something you won't even know what has been written on it.