Help! Flaky rec letter writer!

[Jackie B]

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I'm in a pickle. My pharmcas is completely done, I've even submitted all my secondaries but I'm waiting for a professor to write a rec letter. I'm trying to get it submitted ASAP because my top choice is USC and they have rolling admissions. I asked this professor about a month ago for a rec letter and keep emailing him to follow up, but he's being a huge lag. The last email I sent, I asked if he could please have it done soon because I'm trying to submit to a rolling admissions school. He responded that he would have it submitted by the end of the long weekend but I checked this Tues morning and still nothing. He was like this as a professor too - saying he'll do this by so-and-so date or do that but never happened. I know he's busy cuz he's one of those poor lectureres split amongst 2-3 community colleges, but still, he agreed to do it. I didn't corner him and force him to write it for me, I asked and he agreed. The only reason I asked him because I was both in his chem lecture and lab, and he got to know me very well during lab. None of my other professors know me well.

I want to send a follow up email without sounding too bossy but at the same time expressing my urgency for this letter. What should I say?

I already have 3 letters in and this is my 4th - which sounds unnecessary - but the schools I am appyling to REQUIRE a letter from a professor, and he is my only one 🙁

 

[xNeenax]

I'm scared that this will happen to me

I would send him an email saying "Don't forget to submit that letter. Thank you."
Then again would he be a good reference? I mean someone who's lagging off probably would not put much effort into writing the letter.

What about your other lab professors?

 

[hye345]

I'm in the same boat... one of my professors keeps saying 'Ill have it done by x day", then x day passes, so I gotta email him again... its been going on this way for several 'cycles' now, and 4 out of my 7 schools require this 3rd letter... it does get annoying, but I keep telling myself its because he is trying to find the 'right words' for the letter... keeps me optimistic.

 

[Jackie B]

hye345......do you go to glendale community college?? my professor is from there! i wonder if we have the same person!

 

[Pojman]

Is this really that much of a dilemma? Go to the university, and track him down. Approach him IN PERSON, and let him know that this is an important matter and it needs to get done right away. Although you are asking him to do you a favor, this is in the realm of a "professional arrangement" and thus needs to be handled in a professional manner. Acting in a professional manner means to do what you say you are going to do, get it done in a timely manner, and give the job 100%.

Bottom line is, he agreed to do it. Therefore he needs to follow through with that. You just need to remind him of that.

 

[hye345]

hye345......do you go to glendale community college?? my professor is from there! i wonder if we have the same person!

Well, the professor I'm talking about is at UC Santa Cruz, but I'm also attending GCC to take certain labs I'm missing. I'm in Bio 102 with professor Gago.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Is this really that much of a dilemma? Go to the university, and track him down. Approach him IN PERSON, and let him know that this is an important matter and it needs to get done right away. Although you are asking him to do you a favor, this is in the realm of a "professional arrangement" and thus needs to be handled in a professional manner. Acting in a professional manner means to do what you say you are going to do, get it done in a timely manner, and give the job 100%.

Bottom line is, he agreed to do it. Therefore he needs to follow through with that. You just need to remind him of that.

👍

I question the notion that writing repeated e-mails is effective. An in-person visit (during office hours) should be next, unless you've since moved several hours away. At least pick up the phone! If you're not willing to take the effort to go in person, how do you think that reflects on the importance of the task?

I have no idea if the OP has gone in person, but it doesn't seem that way from the post.

 

[metallideth]

are letters of recommendations even a requirement for the application process? it seems like it is just recommended and not required.

 

[Jackie B]

I don't go to that school anymore and since he is a part-time lecturer I don't even think he has an office or phone number.

Ofcourse it's a "dilemma". Obviously I don't want to piss him off by cornering him in case he gets annoyed and that's reflected in the letter.

I decided to drop him as a reference and will email him and tell him. I asked a grad student I used to work for (she used to be my T/A) to write me one - she just landed a job as a professor so as long as her title is checked off as "professor" in PharmCAS that's all I need. That's probably how the school screens if you have a professor letter or not. If anyone gets picky that during the time we had a T/A-student relationship then I guess that's too bad. I really can't wait any longer for USC, they flat out say themselves that it needs to be in by end of August to get serious consideration...I'm already late waiting for this jerk! GRRR!

 

[xtsukiyox]

are letters of recommendations even a requirement for the application process? it seems like it is just recommended and not required.

I'm sure it depends on the school, but every school I've looked at required them. Some even require the type (i.e., one professor, one pharmacist, etc.). In my experience, most of the time the type is just "recommended" but I have seen some schools with the aforementioned requirement.

Example, from MWU-CPG's site:

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from two professionals directly to PharmCAS. MWU-CPG will only accept letters received directly from PharmCAS. It is preferred that one letter be written by a college professor who has actually taught the applicant or a prehealth advisory committee, science professor, or a health professional who knows the applicant well. Please refer to the PharmCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation.

 

[xtsukiyox]

I decided to drop him as a reference and will email him and tell him.

Just a suggestion... Why don't you wait until your other LoR writer has completed your reference before you drop Prof. Unresponsive? Unless you're hitting a maximum number allowed by PharmCAS, I guess.

 

[Jackie B]

Just a suggestion... Why don't you wait until your other LoR writer has completed your reference before you drop Prof. Unresponsive? Unless you're hitting a maximum number allowed by PharmCAS, I guess.

Unfortunately i maxed out on rec letters. Admissions in CA is super competitive. If you don't have atleast 3 rec letters (or 4) you have a poor shot. Even avg GPA admittance of students is high - UCSD is like 3.7 and USC is 3.6 now (science and overall). but I guess that's why we dont require the PCAT.