LOR deadline fast approaching, how to remind professor?

[Sean Lee]

My LOR deadline (6/15) is fast approaching, and I personally met with the professor in mid April (drove over 8 hours to get to campus) to discuss the letter. The professor wholeheartedly agreed to write the letter, and I sent him all the Interfolio instructions along with my transcripts and essays early May. The professor told me that the June 15th deadline is no problem, and that he will most likely finish the letter by June 1st. In addition, the professor told me that I am welcomed to remind him.

I've sent him two reminders (late May, and two days ago), and he still haven't uploaded the letter yet. He'll be going abroad soon after June 15th and wont be back until August. That's why I gave him the 6/15 deadline.

Should I call his office? Or contact him through facebook?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Sean Lee]

And his letter is absolutely required.

 

[gettheleadout]

I would just call.

 

[Sean Lee]

I would just call.

Thanks. I'll call his office number tomorrow. I am nearly certain that he checks his email and can see my reminders. Maybe he's just busy?

 

[LMBLBM]

Thanks. I'll call his office number tomorrow. I am nearly certain that he checks his email and can see my reminders. Maybe he's just busy?

I am pretty sure he is busy. However, just in case things go down hill, I would prepare an alternative recommendation. A physician I shadowed offered me to write a letter but he didn't without saying anything after countless reminder. He was working 70 to 60 hours per week as a head of I'm department so I don't blame him. Just to be safe you know?

 

[Sean Lee]

I am pretty sure he is busy. However, just in case things go down hill, I would prepare an alternative recommendation. A physician I shadowed offered me to write a letter but he didn't without saying anything after countless reminder. He was working 70 to 60 hours per week as a head of I'm department so I don't blame him. Just to be safe you know?

The thing is...I cant really find an alternative that can replace him.

I just feel that when a professor formally agrees to write a letter, he/she should do it.

 

[LMBLBM]

The thing is...I cant really find an alternative that can replace him.

I just feel that when a professor formally agrees to write a letter, he/she should do it.

I agree with you. I don't think it is ethical for him to not do it. I hope everything goes well to you. Professors are know to be busy all the time

 

[Sean Lee]

I agree with you. I don't think it is ethical for him to not do it. I hope everything goes well to you. Professors are know to be busy all the time

Thanks.

Did the physician eventually write your letter? Or are you still waiting on that?

 

[LMBLBM]

Thanks.

Did the physician eventually write your letter? Or are you still waiting on that?

it was last cycle and I lost contact with him

 

[Sean Lee]

it was last cycle and I lost contact with him

Do you think it is taboo for me to contact this professor through facebook?

 

[sunflower18]

Do you think it is taboo for me to contact this professor through facebook?

If you aren't friends on facebook and you two have never interacted via facebook before, then I would strongly encourage you to not contact him/her that way. It might be very offputting and feel like an invasion of personal space, especially since the deadline hasn't even passed yet.

Good luck; I know how frustrating it can be to wait for letters and worry that they aren't going to come.

 

[kyamh]

Does the professor have a lab? Can you email someone in the lab and ask for their help? Techs, manager, and post docs are usually super nice and understanding about how tough it can be to get a hold of their boss.

 

[Sean Lee]

Does the professor have a lab? Can you email someone in the lab and ask for their help? Techs, manager, and post docs are usually super nice and understanding about how tough it can be to get a hold of their boss.

The prof. doesn't have a lab. He's the head of a popular annual study abroad program at my old school, and the program starts next week. So I imagine he's busying preparing for that.

But regardless, I drove over 8 hours just to meet with him, and he formally agreed to write a letter. I'll just have to wait a couple more days.

 

[Sean Lee]

If you aren't friends on facebook and you two have never interacted via facebook before, then I would strongly encourage you to not contact him/her that way. It might be very offputting and feel like an invasion of personal space, especially since the deadline hasn't even passed yet.

Good luck; I know how frustrating it can be to wait for letters and worry that they aren't going to come.

Thanks. I'll probably stay away from facebook.

 

[kyamh]

But regardless, I drove over 8 hours just to meet with him, and he formally agreed to write a letter. I'll just have to wait a couple more days.

I don't understand what you mean. It's all well and good that he "ought" to write the letter and upload it because you agreed, but it's only going to hurt you if he doesn't do it. I don't know that I would recommend waiting and seeing what happens. Earlier you said that you have the office number. I would try calling that number once an hour, all business day tomorrow, until you get a real person. Don't leave a bunch of messages, that would make you seem crazy, but just call in and see if he is in his office - like we used to do before fancy phones told us we missed a call 🙂

 

[Sean Lee]

Here is the reminder email I sent him on Monday.

Prof. Smith


Thank you again for agreeing to write me a letter of recommendation for medical schools. I just want to gently remind you that the letter's due date of 6/15 is approaching. Please compose and sign the letter on official letterhead and upload it to Interfolio. The Interfolio email sent to you in early May contains all instructions. Please let me know if you need additional information.
I understand that you'll be gone from 6/17-8/15 for (school's popular study abroad program), and it is crucial that your letter is uploaded to Interfolio before you leave. I've already submitted my primary application, and I've received all my letters from other professors and supervisors. Your letter satisfies one of the two required science professor letters; without it, my application cannot go forward.
It was great driving across states to meet with you in mid April, and I am extremely grateful for this tremendous favor. Thanks again!

 

[Sean Lee]

I don't understand what you mean. It's all well and good that he "ought" to write the letter and upload it because you agreed, but it's only going to hurt you if he doesn't do it. I don't know that I would recommend waiting and seeing what happens. Earlier you said that you have the office number. I would try calling that number once an hour, all business day tomorrow, until you get a real person. Don't leave a bunch of messages, that would make you seem crazy, but just call in and see if he is in his office - like we used to do before fancy phones told us we missed a call 🙂

Yeah, I'll start calling him tomorrow. Though I am not sure if he's in his office since it is summer time.

My point is that if a professor formally agrees to write a letter, he has the obligation to carry it through. Of course there's nothing I can do if he doesn't end up writing it, but common courtesy/etiquette requires one to fulfill one's promise.

 

[kyamh]

My point is that if a professor formally agrees to write a letter, he has the obligation to carry it through. Of course there's nothing I can do if he doesn't end up writing it, but common courtesy/etiquette requires one to fulfill one's promise.

Meh, times like this I think back to Boy Meets World and the "life's tough, get a helmet" scene.

Have you never agreed to do something and then had more important stuff come up? Cut the guy a break 🙂

 

[Sean Lee]

Meh, times like this I think back to Boy Meets World and the "life's tough, get a helmet" scene.

Have you never agreed to do something and then had more important stuff come up? Cut the guy a break 🙂

I get what you are saying...but still

It doesn't take very long to write one LOR.

 

[hoihaie]

Why dont you just wait till 6/15 before giving him a call? Most professors have so much to do, they usually dont do things till the last minute. Calling him now when you've already reminded him will only come off negatively for you.

 

[Sean Lee]

Why dont you just wait till 6/15 before giving him a call? Most professors have so much to do, they usually dont do things till the last minute. Calling him now when you've already reminded him will only come off negatively for you.

I see your point.

I wouldn't worry much if the professor wouldn't be gone for two months until mid August.

 

[hoihaie]

I see your point.

I wouldn't worry much if the professor wouldn't be gone for two months until mid August.

yes, but incessant reminders won't do you any good, because they already know the deadline. like you said, lors dont take long to write. He still has 4 more days to do so, and thats plenty of time left.

 

[Sean Lee]

yes, but incessant reminders won't do you any good, because they already know the deadline. like you said, lors dont take long to write. He still has 4 more days to do so, and thats plenty of time left.

Is it normal for profs to wait till the last minute?

 

[Smugglercb]

Here is the reminder email I sent him on Monday.

Prof. Smith


Thank you again for agreeing to write me a letter of recommendation for medical schools. I just want to gently remind you that the letter's due date of 6/15 is approaching. Please compose and sign the letter on official letterhead and upload it to Interfolio. The Interfolio email sent to you in early May contains all instructions. Please let me know if you need additional information.
I understand that you'll be gone from 6/17-8/15 for (school's popular study abroad program), and it is crucial that your letter is uploaded to Interfolio before you leave. I've already submitted my primary application, and I've received all my letters from other professors and supervisors. Your letter satisfies one of the two required science professor letters; without it, my application cannot go forward.
It was great driving across states to meet with you in mid April, and I am extremely grateful for this tremendous favor. Thanks again!

This is a very well written letter.

But, yeah, I'd say wait until Friday before you bug 'em

 

[breaklinedestroyed]

Professors usually don't write anything until the last minute. It's just how they are, don't worry

 

[Sean Lee]

This is a very well written letter.

But, yeah, I'd say wait until Friday before you bug 'em

Glad to hear that the email isn't pushy/inappropriate.

I am busy on Friday, so should I call tomorrow? But then again, 6/15 is this Sunday, so there's still a couple days left.

 

[Sean Lee]

Professors usually don't write anything until the last minute. It's just how they are, don't worry

It's just that all my other letter writers finished the letters well before the dealine; one almost a month early!

But I know everyone's different.

 

[hoihaie]

It's just that all my other letter writers finished the letters well before the dealine; one almost a month early!

But I know everyone's different.

one of my strongest LoRs came from a professor who sent it to me and interfolio the night of the deadline haha. I think it is very common for professors. All? Prob not, but its common for them to do things last minute

 

[Sean Lee]

one of my strongest LoRs came from a professor who sent it to me and interfolio the night of the deadline haha. I think it is very common for professors. All? Prob not, but its common for them to do things last minute

Let's say that the professor can't finish the letter by my deadline.

Is it still relatively early for him to submit by the end of august, after he comes back from abroad?

To my understanding, LORs should be submitted at the same time as finished secondaries. And since submitting secondaries at the end of august is early, I would assume that that works for LORs as well.

 

[hoihaie]

depends on the school. some schools don't count your secondaries as complete unless they got all the nletters. Others can let you send them in separately

 

[Sean Lee]

depends on the school. some schools don't count your secondaries as complete unless they got all the nletters. Others can let you send them in separately

Would completed secondaries (with letters) be considered early if they all get submitted by the end of August?

 

[LegendaryPunk]

The guy is probably just busy. Assuming you show the same professional and courteous etiquette you displayed in your e-mail, there's nothing wrong with calling. E-mails can spark a thought of "Oh yeah! I really need to write that letter!", but then fifty other emails bump yours down and it becomes forgotten again. It's nothing personal against you, it's just easy to do. Person-to-person interactions generally illicit a more powerful and immediate response, in my experience.

He's not going to think any less of you for being pushy as the deadline approaches. Take the initiative and make sure it gets done.

 

[hoihaie]

Would completed secondaries (with letters) be considered early if they all get submitted by the end of August?

depends on when you get them lol, you should submit them within 2 weeks at least

 

[anon9301]

I apologize for being absolutely clueless, and I do not intend to derail the thread, but what is this June 15 LOR deadline? I thought one was able to add more LORs even after submitting.

 

[Sean Lee]

I apologize for being absolutely clueless, and I do not intend to derail the thread, but what is this June 15 LOR deadline? I thought one was able to add more LORs even after submitting.

Deadline to submit to interfolio!

 

[anon9301]

oh f*ck

 

[anon9301]

why would there be a deadline for interfolio? I'm a reapplicant and had a supplemental letter sent through interfolio in mid September.

 

[Sean Lee]

why would there be a deadline for interfolio? I'm a reapplicant and had a supplemental letter sent through interfolio in mid September.

I am giving my professor a june 15th deadline. He'll be gone from mid june to mid august, so if I don't get the letter before he leaves, it might be late.

 

[anon9301]

Got you. Sorry for the need for an extended explanation.

 

[tco]

Not to be deflating, but unless you did something special with this guy, or he's very new to being a professor, it's going to be a cut and paste letter of rec. Most professors write so many of these that they have pieced together a masterpiece after years of editing.

I'd give him a call or send him an email tomorrow (6/13) and just ask him if he could please be sure to upload the letter before he leaves. Be sure to include that you understand that he's very busy, so you just wanted to follow up on the letter.

 

[Sean Lee]

Not to be deflating, but unless you did something special with this guy, or he's very new to being a professor, it's going to be a cut and paste letter of rec. Most professors write so many of these that they have pieced together a masterpiece after years of editing.

I'd give him a call or send him an email tomorrow (6/13) and just ask him if he could please be sure to upload the letter before he leaves. Be sure to include that you understand that he's very busy, so you just wanted to follow up on the letter.

Thanks.

I just sent him an email this Monday, is tomorrow too soon for another reminder?

 

[Sean Lee]

Got you. Sorry for the need for an extended explanation.

no problem

 

[Sean Lee]

Okay...

I called the professor's office numbers (he has two appointments on campus), and no one was there.

So I sent him another reminding email.

The thing that I am afraid of is that he has somehow changed his mind and decided to not write me the letter. I don't think he is very busy, since he told me during our April meeting that he'll probably finish the letter by June 1st and take a break for the first half of June.

 

[Sean Lee]

Here's the email I just sent


I apologize for sending another reminder email, but the recommendation letter's deadline is 6/15, this Sunday. I understand that you are incredibly busy, and I greatly appreciate this tremendous favor.


It is very important that the letter is uploaded to Interfolio before you leave for the study abroad program. Your letter is one of the two required science letters, and without it, no medical school will consider me.


Once again, thank you for writing me a letter, and please let me know if you have any questions.

 

[hoihaie]

Okay...

I called the professor's office numbers (he has two appointments on campus), and no one was there.

So I sent him another reminding email.

The thing that I am afraid of is that he has somehow changed his mind and decided to not write me the letter. I don't think he is very busy, since he told me during our April meeting that he'll probably finish the letter by June 1st and take a break for the first half of June.

taking a break doesnt mean hes sitting around doing nothing?

 

[Sean Lee]

Prof. just responded to my email, saying that he'll upload the letter by the deadline!

 

[Sean Lee]

So I guess for other people who might be in a similar situation in the future, polite but firm email reminders do help!

 

[turayza]

So I guess for other people who might be in a similar situation in the future, polite but firm email reminders do help!

Glad it worked out for you. A suggestion that other SDN-ers had posted previously was to send a thank-you (like...a bag of homemade cookies and a card) in the last week before your "deadline" which will really motivate your writer into uploading (hahah).
Another thing you could have done was to give him a deadline of 6/1 when you first found out he would be gone after 6/15, so if he did go past the "deadline" you would have had two weeks to bother him justifiably without the panic of him disappearing until August if he missed the "deadline". I told most of my LOR writers that I needed the letters by 5/20. Even the people I asked in December of last year didn't get it in until May! I got three letters in the week before the told them I needed it, which gave me freedom from worrying too much and them from reminder emails (which would have resulted if I worried too much).