how long to wait for letters?

[tubbs]

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once you do ask for a reference letter, and the preceptor has agreed...how long does it usually take for a letter to be written?

what do we do, if it takes longer than expected? do we just keep waiting? or do we just kindly remind them. how much time do we give them after that?

i would very much appreciate your help, if anyone would know.

thanks,

tubbs

 

[Minimalist M]

You don't want to rush them after 2 weeks, but I'd say 3-4 weeks should be plenty. Of course, it's assumed that you'll give them adequate time by asking for it before you need it.

To get a letter, try emails and phone calls (To the writer personally if you know them well, to their secretary if you don't know them well). I usually give no more than 1-2 calls/email a week. Usually a single email is the max I've given after about 3-4 phone calls to the secretary produced no letters (that's after 4 weeks of waiting, so it puts me at 2 months before I've emailed my writer directly.)

Of course, you never ask for your letters in your emails. You simply take the opportunity to thank them for writing a letter and for their advice and remind them that your deadline is approaching and that you will complete your application by such and such a date, pending receipt of their letter (indirectly tells them to have it by this date or else you're screwed).

 

[tubbs]

thanks a lot Min. i very much appreciate your advice. it was very helpful