Dilemma!! Should I call my prof's cell phone?

[YBFdoctor]

Ok so here is my situation:

At the end of February, I asked one of my professor to write me a LOR and he agreed. He was my mentor for my senior design project and I also used him as a reference when I was looking for a professional job after graduating in 2008 (that is how I have his cell phone number). July rolls around and he still hasn't turned in my LOR. I send him a reminder/update email and get no response. At the end of August, he still hasn't turned in my LOR and I send another email, and he replies, asking for the AMCAS website and letter form. I think he's gonna turn it in soon, but nothing yet. Last Tuesday 9/22, I sent him another email about the LOR, and I still haven't had a response. I tried calling his office today, but no answer, and I was unable to leave a message. Now this leads me to his cell phone. Should I call it?? Am I nagging him too much?? He is keeping me from being complete at 4 schools, and I am only applying to 10 total. I'd really love some advice please!

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[schrizto]

A PI gave me her cell phone number when we were going to meet at a conference. Since then I have called her once, when it didn't seem like she got an email I sent. She was very friendly and didn't seem bothered by it.

Is there an obstacle such as distance involved? Because calling him wouldn't be as effective as seeing him in person.

 

[NotSur]

.

 

[YBFdoctor]

A PI gave me her cell phone number when we were going to meet at a conference. Since then I have called her once, when it didn't seem like she got an email I sent. She was very friendly and didn't seem bothered by it.

Is there an obstacle such as distance involved? Because calling him wouldn't be as effective as seeing him in person.

Yeah, he lives about 2 hours away from me. Believe me, if we were in the same city, I would've already been stalking his office!

 

[bellakk]

I would call. And start thinking about a back-up letter. There is usually a good reason when a letter is put off for that long. And by good reason I mean they dont want to write it.

 

[vman51]

I'd call

 

[BlueElmo]

I would personally feel uncomfortable calling my professor. But that's just me.

 

[lstone13]

Okay, I had a similar situation, except my professor did not live so far away. I went to my professor's office during office hours to discuss the situation with her.

If you can, I say in-person visit is best. Otherwise, call for sure (maybe call during specified office hours so that you know your professor has the time to talk to you).

EDIT: When I say call, I do not mean calling the cell phone. Do not call the cell phone!!! That would be entirely inappropriate in my opinion. Call his/her office phone.

 

[H2O2]

When I say call, I do not mean calling the cell phone. Do not call the cell phone!!! That would be entirely inappropriate in my opinion. Call his/her office phone.

I agree with this, do not call the cell phone. As this is a "business call", you should use their business communication.

 

[schrizto]

I would call. And start thinking about a back-up letter. There is usually a good reason when a letter is put off for that long. And by good reason I mean they dont want to write it.

There is something wrong here, though. This professor has been a reference for a job in the past, although being a job reference probably carries less responsibility than a LOR.

I agree with this, do not call the cell phone. As this is a "business call", you should use their business communication.

The OP has already tried calling the professor with his office number.

 

[ezsanche]

Ok so here is my situation:

At the end of February, I asked one of my professor to write me a LOR and he agreed. He was my mentor for my senior design project and I also used him as a reference when I was looking for a professional job after graduating in 2008 (that is how I have his cell phone number). July rolls around and he still hasn't turned in my LOR. I send him a reminder/update email and get no response. At the end of August, he still hasn't turned in my LOR and I send another email, and he replies, asking for the AMCAS website and letter form. I think he's gonna turn it in soon, but nothing yet. Last Tuesday 9/22, I sent him another email about the LOR, and I still haven't had a response. I tried calling his office today, but no answer, and I was unable to leave a message. Now this leads me to his cell phone. Should I call it?? Am I nagging him too much?? He is keeping me from being complete at 4 schools, and I am only applying to 10 total. I'd really love some advice please!

I think you have a really inconsiderate professor. He is really lazy and doesn't want to write you a letter. What is going to happen is that he is going to write you a crappy template letter and screw your chances into getting into medical school. Buy hey....... C'est la vie!

 

[chman]

Call the cell phone during business hours. If said professor offered to write it they should have no problem. He/she is probably just really busy with the start of school or forgot. They get a ton of e-mails and yours may have gotten mixed up. Either way, you need to know if he/she will do it so you can get another one if it does not work out.

 

[H2O2]

The OP has already tried calling the professor with his office number.

The professor is not dumb/deaf I bet, and knew perfectly well that their office had been called. Either call the office again at a different time of day, or take the hint that they don't want to be bothered/write a LOR. Personal numbers should not be used, not only is it business etiquette but at risk of seriously peeving off the professor.

 

[chman]

The professor is not dumb/deaf I bet, and knew perfectly well that their office had been called. Either call the office again at a different time of day, or take the hint that they don't want to be bothered/write a LOR. Personal numbers should not be used, not only is it business etiquette but at risk of seriously peeving off the professor.

What's the worst that will happen? The professor will not write the letter that he/she has already not written?

 

[ChemEngSoonMD]

Call the cell phone during business hours.

What if the professor is female and really hot, and has nothing to do on a Friday night?

 

[schrizto]

What if the professor is female and really hot, and has nothing to do on a Friday night?

😕

 

[YBFdoctor]

WOW thanks for all the responses. I ended up calling his cell phone a little after 5 pm, and it was AWKWARD but he was really nice about it. For whatever reason, he hasn't written my LOR yet, but but promised to have it uploaded before we meet for coffee in 2 weeks. It sounds kinda like an empty promise, but I really pray that he comes through. If he does, I'm afraid that the letter will be very generic, but what else can I do at this point? I was never the student to hang out at office hours for no reason so I don't have that many teachers that know me and I kinda burned a bridge with a professor who could have potentially written a back up letter, but that is another story!

 

[ezsanche]

WOW thanks for all the responses. I ended up calling his cell phone a little after 5 pm, and it was AWKWARD but he was really nice about it. For whatever reason, he hasn't written my LOR yet, but but promised to have it uploaded before we meet for coffee in 2 weeks. It sounds kinda like an empty promise, but I really pray that he comes through. If he does, I'm afraid that the letter will be very generic, but what else can I do at this point? I was never the student to hang out at office hours for no reason so I don't have that many teachers that know me and I kinda burned a bridge with a professor who could have potentially written a back up letter, but that is another story!

You burned a bridge with another professor!!!! Please entertain us with that story.