Panicked: Cannot get two science professors to respond

[Happensinvegas]

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Hello Everyone: I am panicking a bit about my letters of recommendation. My school does not do a committee letter, and I have had problems getting 2 letters from science professors, strangely enough.

So far I have had no problems getting letters from:

• - non-science professor
• - my P.I. for my research
• - My boss & V.P. joint letter for the company I have worked for for nearly 6 years
• - Doctor who was my boss for an 8 month internship I did at a hospital

However I cannot seem to even get responses from two of my science professor. I thought I had 2 that would happily write me letters, but I have emailed them about meeting to discuss over the summer and have heard nothing over two-three weeks.

I know it is best to drop by in person, but one of them (my biochemistry prof.) is teaching for one of our schools study abroad programs in Europe, so I emailed him about it and the possibility of discussing over Skype or email - no response.

My physics professor may not be on campus frequently over the summer b/c he is a lecturer and doesn't have a research lab nor teach summer classes. I've walked by his office a few times over the past two weeks and every time the door is shut and lights out. I emailed him to see if he could meet me and again, no response.

These two professors are by far the two who know me best in the science because I was able to take small-section classes with them.

What is the best route to take next. Do I wait a few more days, and attempt to email them both again? Or should I risk asking other science professor who I had for larger classes and may only know me from 1-2 office hour visits and risk a mediocre letter?

A final option is asking a professor who likes me and knows me well, but I got a C in his class (Physical chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics). I don't know if its is frowned upon to get a letter from a professor in which you did not get a good grade, even if it is not a pre-req class.

Any advice would help

 

[AttemptingScholar]

Email them again now (it's acceptable after 2-3 weeks) and see if you get something by the end of next week. If you honestly think you can good a good letter from a bad grade, it might actually help explain the bad grade and work in your favor.

From what I understand, you assign letters to schools so you can start working on backups (other teachers) right now and if your top choices come through later then just don't send them in?

 

[okayherewego]

I found that it always helps to offer your assistance in writing the letter. This can either be providing them a resume, copy of your PS, or even a draft of what the letter should look like. It makes it easier for them to complete and harder to put it off.

 

[candbgirl]

Are you applying this cycle? If so why did you wait so long to ask for letters. If you are applying now, you can email them again but start looking for alternatives. Many professors aren't readily available during the Summer that's why you should have all your letters by now. If you are not applying until June 2018 just go see these two in the Fall.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[Happensinvegas]

Are you applying this cycle? If so why did you wait so long to ask for letters. If you are applying now, you can email them again but start looking for alternatives. Many professors aren't readily available during the Summer that's why you should have all your letters by now. If you are not applying until June 2018 just go see these two in the Fall.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

Because my school has 1 pre-health advisor who is impossible to meet with. I honestly did not know it was normal for people to get letters fo rec YEARS in advance. I thought everyone got their in the few months leading up to applications. My schools lacks support for pre-meds unfortunately so I have been trying to navigate this on my own. And yes I am applying this cycle.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

I'm sorry this has happened and you're so stressed! This must suck. You're really on a time crunch here.

Like I said, I recommend continuing trying to reach your top two and get started on backups. Schools need you to fulfill letter requirements and it's possible (though kind of weird) to submit extra letters after submission as a kind of update. Better than a random letter of interest that doesn't say anything, anyways.