Letter of Rec Writer Ghosting Me

[mmmedical]

Hey y'all, I'm in need of some advice. One of my stronger science professor letter writers is currently ghosting me.

Here is some context: I peer-instructed for this professor and took 2 courses with them. We had met several times over my undergrad career and she offered to write me a letter of rec. I am currently in my first of two gap years, so our interactions since graduation haven't been as frequent as they were during undergrad. However, I have followed up several times in the past year (several more recently in the past months) to check-in and reminder them of the upcoming due date (which is today, I added some fluff room for my writers). They have not responded to my emails (I sent the "formal" request in January).

I have several other good letters, but my main concern is several of the school's I'm applying to require 3 letters from professors -- and hers would have been my 3rd and potentially strongest.

What should I do? Should I email admissions and explain the situation? Should I message her on LinkedIn (we've been connected for a long time)? I don't have her phone number but I could call the department at my university to try and get in touch with her... I'm at a loss.

Anything at this point would help. Thanks in advance!!!

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[polymerization]

None of the above. People may disagree with me, but I am being so sincere when I say this—move on. For your own benefit.

Whatever relationship you thought you had with this person is clearly either nominal or imaginary.

Look at the facts: you've done everything right. You took the classes, nurtured a relationship, sent a bevy of emails... you have made it so that you're impossible to ignore on simple accident/coincidence.

If you push this, they may continue to ignore you. A mean-spirited professor who has had enough of your emails will respond very courteously and agree, then submit an angry letter that says something along the lines of "I literally don't know this person and they have been harassing me to submit this letter."

I kind of wish you would have posted sooner/planned ahead for this. I absolutely refuse to leave my future in any one person's hands, period. Throughout the last two years of undergrad, I asked for letters consistently (in excess of what I actually needed) and stored them in Interfolio.

I knew, when it came time, that I could always submit what I had. Sure, the professor might not update the date, but it is immeasurably better to have a good, old letter than no letter at all. You can interpret an old letter; no letter looks like you were unprepared.

I hope you're able to curry some favor with the school...but I foresee a lot of hand-wringing and "rules are rules" discourse. Just my 2c.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Find another professor. Make it work.

The ghosting began in January, and you should have looked for someone then. This isn't dating. Don't believe Tiktok advice will work.

 

[LizzyM]

Whose deadline is today? Your self imposed deadline? A committee deadline? AMCAS deadline? We can smell bullsh1t is we know that the AMCAS deadline is non-existent. Also, consider that sometimes life happens and the expectation that one could write evaporates when some serious stuff happens at home or on the job (member of the immediate family is dying, all grant funding's been cut -- bad stuff).

That said, perhaps it is time to move on. Send one more message saying that you hope things are going well and expressing concern that you've not heard from them. See what you get.

 

[leep]

Hey y'all, I'm in need of some advice. One of my stronger science professor letter writers is currently ghosting me.

Here is some context: I peer-instructed for this professor and took 2 courses with them. We had met several times over my undergrad career and she offered to write me a letter of rec. I am currently in my first of two gap years, so our interactions since graduation haven't been as frequent as they were during undergrad. However, I have followed up several times in the past year (several more recently in the past months) to check-in and reminder them of the upcoming due date (which is today, I added some fluff room for my writers). They have not responded to my emails (I sent the "formal" request in January).

I have several other good letters, but my main concern is several of the school's I'm applying to require 3 letters from professors -- and hers would have been my 3rd and potentially strongest.

What should I do? Should I email admissions and explain the situation? Should I message her on LinkedIn (we've been connected for a long time)? I don't have her phone number but I could call the department at my university to try and get in touch with her... I'm at a loss.

Anything at this point would help. Thanks in advance!!!

Definitely try your best to get the letter. I've had friends in your exact position, and I know finding another professor isn't as easy as it sounds. You don't have much to lose

 

[mmmedical]

Thanks for your input, everyone! I will reach out one last time (more out of concern than anything) and then leave it be. I've requested an additional letter from a professor I studied abroad with. Also, one of my letters is from a Professor who was my PI in a lab, so I'm hoping that may hold some weight. Seems to be the best I can do at this point.