possibly ghosted summer research LOR

[lull]

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I contacted my biochemistry professor at the beginning of January with a letter request, and I offered to meet up with him. He said he was happy to do it and just wanted me to send my info (cv, personal statement etc). I was still working on my personal statement, so I got that to him by mid-January. It's now a couple of days before the letter is due (its due on Monday) and I sent him a reminder email on Monday with no response. Do you guys think it would be excessive to send him another email today asking if he was able to get the letter in? I don't want to come across as pushy, but I don't want to find out that I was completely ghosted come Monday.

 

[neuroiscool42]

It's still way early for LoRs, so you have a huge buffer. You won't need them until end of June/early July or whenever you plan to submit your secondaries. Don't be pushy even though you did set a deadline.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

You did not give them nearly enough time to come up with a letter, I'm not surprised by this. Definitely dont email him.

 

[lull]

You did not give them nearly enough time to come up with a letter, I'm not surprised by this. Definitely dont email him.

I contacted him December 30th and it's due February 3rd. I suppose I could have asked him sooner, but I found out about the program through my research professor at that time.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

I contacted him December 30th and it's due February 3rd. I suppose I could have asked him sooner, but I found out about the program through my research professor at that time.

For the future, most people give at least 2 months to write AFTER the person has all the materials they need. Professors are very busy (or so they say); my organic professor wrote 75 LoR this application cycle!

 

[candbgirl]

You did not give them nearly enough time to come up with a letter, I'm not surprised by this. Definitely dont email him.

Remember this when you apply to med school. Professors are busy.

I contacted him December 30th and it's due February 3rd. I suppose I could have asked him sooner, but I found out about the program through my research professor at that time.

That was over winter break and you didn’t get the materials to him until “mid January”. So two weeks ago. Very short time frame. Lots of stuff happening at the beginning of the new semester. Nothing you can do about it now. Maybe he’ll surprise you and get it in.

 

[lull]

A little update, I lucked out and my professor did end up sending in the letter. I will definitely be a lot smarter the next time I ask for LoR, thank you for the responses.