Following up on Recommendation letters

[Kpw101]

What is a nice way to follow up on the status of your letters without making it seem like you're rushing your professor or without making it seem like you're demanding? I followed up twice now with one of my professors and it seems like every time she sends me and update or makes me aware that she's starting to write it, she drops it and doesn't respond anymore. Obviously I understand that professors are people too; schedules get busy and things come up. I just want to make sure that the letter is still at the very least at the back of his head as the deadline for my committee letter is approaching.

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[aldol16]

One good way is to send an email thanking him/her for writing the letter. That way, you don't seem like you're demanding it written but if he/she has not written it, it will come to the forefront of their minds. Another way is thank them for their time and reminding them that the deadline is on XX date.

 

[wizzed101]

You remind them to write the letter and then offer to extend the (hopefully) self-imposed deadline. Many professors need to have deadlines. But if you must have the letter, say, month or burst, well... Don't ever give them the real deadline initially.