Does reminding your letter writer (multiple times) take away from its strength?

[radioactive15]

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I requested my recommendation letters a few months ago, and still they haven't sent it yet.

Recently, I checked up with the writers how they've been progressing, and I'm surprised they haven't even started them yet. I understand professors are very busy with the semester and other things.

So during my follow up, I asked them when they would be able to submit it, and have gotten back responses such as "asap". Now, it feels like they are going to rush to complete my letter and I was thinking it would take away from their strength had I not inadvertently rushed them.

Did anyone else have to constantly remind their writers to get going even though they gave them a 2-3 month window to write them? Do you think they diminished strength by reminding them which caused them to rush to write your letter?

 

[ndafife]

It is April 9th. Yes you are a neurotic premed.

AMCAS doesn't open for almost a month, and even then, applications don't go out until June.

 

[medic86]

Ruffle.

You don't even get your first secondaries until the end of June (around the time when you'd actually NEED your letters). Relax, neurotic premed.

 

[radioactive15]

Chill guys, this is not for AMCAS submission (at this point). My committee requires all of the letters to be received in order to receive a committee interview. Because the committee interview is first come first serve, there kind of is a rush.

Way to not answer the question presented, btw.

 

[medic86]

Chill guys, this is not for AMCAS submission (at this point). My committee requires all of the letters to be received in order to receive a committee interview. Because the committee interview is first come first serve, there kind of is a rush.

Way to not answer the question presented, btw.

Maybe you should have clarified that in your original post.

Way to not ask the question, btw.

 

[SympatricSpeciation]

You are neurotic. Use common sense. Why in the world would you think there's a clear-cut answer to this? It will vary by individual and by how annoyingly you phrase your emails. Based on your OP, it's pretty annoying. You are neurotic, neurotic premed.

 

[ndafife]

It generally hopes to clarify things before you post them so you get relevant answers.

Chill guys, this is not for AMCAS submission (at this point). My committee requires all of the letters to be received in order to receive a committee interview. Because the committee interview is first come first serve, there kind of is a rush.

Way to not answer the question presented, btw.

For some reason I feel like helping

1. Did you give your letter writers a concrete due date? Did you specify the necessity to get it in early (aka for commitee review not AMCAS)? If not the delay is all on you

2. Your professors will rush/not rush, give a good/bad review based off of how annoying an neurotic you are.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Chill guys, this is not for AMCAS submission (at this point). My committee requires all of the letters to be received in order to receive a committee interview. Because the committee interview is first come first serve, there kind of is a rush.

Way to not answer the question presented, btw.

Don't let it bother you. People on here love to call others "neurotic" or "trolls" for every little thing.

As long as you're polite, it's no issue. In the future, set clear (early) deadlines and then follow up around that time -- most writers will appreciate a reminder with ample time before a deadline.

 

[radioactive15]

Haha sorry for not including the committee aspect in the beginning post.

I didn't give them a concrete deadline, but told them when I asked in Jan that it would be great to have them done by end of March/early April.

In my follow up emails, I didn't really pressure them or anything, just gave out friendly reminders to gauge their progress in a polite fashion.

 

[f4reignbeauty]

That happened to me, sort of. I just asked the writer if there was anything else they'd like for me to give them (I.e. Personal statement etc.) and I sent in the additional information.

Don't ask your writer too often though.

 

[ndafife]

Haha sorry for not including the committee aspect in the beginning post.

I didn't give them a concrete deadline, but told them when I asked in Jan that it would be great to have them done by end of March/early April.

In my follow up emails, I didn't really pressure them or anything, just gave out friendly reminders to gauge their progress in a polite fashion.

How many letters are complete? How many are you waiting on? How many do you need?

I'd start trying to set a deadline with the writers, and from their just send reminders.