LOR writer not responding

[asterok]

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Hello, so I currently have 4/5 of my letters of rec submitted. The last one I am waiting on is my PI's--she had offered the letter before I asked and is general extremely enthusiastic about supporting me and my application.

The thing is my school committee letter's soft deadline was May 30th (I asked her formally months in advance), and she has not responded about the letter. I've sent a follow-up to no response, however she is emailing me about lab work (and is being friendly/encouraging in those emails if it makes a difference).

Also, she did have a family emergency and grants due right around the deadline so I understand she of course must be extra busy. I have a meeting scheduled with her later this week but my advisor said they want it by June 15th for it to be included in the letter, otherwise I'll have to have her submit directly to AMCAS and will just have to explain to schools. I'm just worried about this (like I'd even just love a thumbs-up emoji to know she still has this on her radar) and am not sure if there is anything else I can do in the meantime without coming off as overbearing/annoying. I'd really appreciate any advice, thank you so much!

 

[wysdoc]

Hello, so I currently have 4/5 of my letters of rec submitted. The last one I am waiting on is my PI's--she had offered the letter before I asked and is general extremely enthusiastic about supporting me and my application.

The thing is my school committee letter's soft deadline was May 30th (I asked her formally months in advance), and she has not responded about the letter. I've sent a follow-up to no response, however she is emailing me about lab work (and is being friendly/encouraging in those emails if it makes a difference).

Also, she did have a family emergency and grants due right around the deadline so I understand she of course must be extra busy. I have a meeting scheduled with her later this week but my advisor said they want it by June 15th for it to be included in the letter, otherwise I'll have to have her submit directly to AMCAS and will just have to explain to schools. I'm just worried about this (like I'd even just love a thumbs-up emoji to know she still has this on her radar) and am not sure if there is anything else I can do in the meantime without coming off as overbearing/annoying. I'd really appreciate any advice, thank you so much!

I think you know all the reasons it has been a bit of a delay for your mentor so understand that she is a human with many responsibilities.
Letters are a supplemental portion of your medical school application and schools will begin reading your application even before your letters come in.

Tell your school committee there may be a delay on this last letter and if they are ready with everything else on June 15th they can wrap it up.
Having your PI upload the letter to AMCAS later will not be any kind of a red flag, and it will be worth the wait for her strong letter to be added to your AMCAS files.

 

[polymerization]

Hopefully you stored all of your letters in Interfolio so that you won't be held up in the process. You don't need 5 letters, so if the committee decides to take 84 years to produce your committee letter/letter packet and still isn't done by the time you are completing secondaries, you might as well apply with individual letters.

Pre-health offices often set up their applicants for failure by requiring them to store their letters with them. Big no-no for the obvious reason above, but that's just my opinion. My pre-health office didn't return my late April phone calls and e-mails until October.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Threading the needle down the middle: it's okay to have the committee send your 4 letters (plus their own) out. Your other reference should be able to send an individual letter when it's convenient. The admissions committees don't need you to explain why as long as they receive letters in time for their review, and your institutional packet works for that purpose. Follow @wysdoc 's advice; you'll be fine.