Procrastinating LOR writer

[Anastasis]

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Normally I would just search for advice about this but since the search is down I'll just post a new thread.

One of my LOR writers is all finished with my letter but hasn't mailed it in yet. It's been sitting in her house for over two weeks finished but not mailed. This is really starting to stress me out. (The letters need to get to my premed committee for them to write a letter for TMDSAS) Any advice on to how to tactfully bring it up that she really really needs to mail it?

 

[Punkn]

Normally I would just search for advice about this but since the search is down I'll just post a new thread.

One of my LOR writers is all finished with my letter but hasn't mailed it in yet. It's been sitting in her house for over two weeks finished but not mailed. This is really starting to stress me out. (The letters need to get to my premed committee for them to write a letter for TMDSAS) Any advice on to how to tactfully bring it up that she really really needs to mail it?

If you haven't sent a thank you card/note already, I would send one and just include the deadline in it. Maybe emphasize that it's really important that the letter be sent soon and why. Maybe include a stamp for her to use?

 

[modelslashactor]

Is the writer a science prof who writes a million every year? I find these types will procrastinate but always turn it in right before the deadline you give them, did you make sure to give a deadline even if imaginary?

If you didn't give her one earlier, just let her know politely that there is indeed a deadline and it is approaching. Your style may vary.

 

[DrBowtie]

Put in a call to Tony Soprano!

 

[Anastasis]

Actually I saw her this morning and she was in the process of mailing it - but thanks for the suggestions guys!! guess I should be more patient 🙄

 

[Punkn]

Actually I saw her this morning and she was in the process of mailing it - but thanks for the suggestions guys!! guess I should be more patient 🙄

Hehe...it's so hard to be patient in this process, though! Glad the recommender pulled through for you. 👍

 

[nyc525]

I had that problem last year with my current boss (highly respected academic MD, leader in his field, blah blah blah). My faculty recommendations had been ready in May, my secondaries were done by August but he was too busy and didn't send it until October or November! I'd stupidly told the schools to wait for it.

The kicker, his secretary sends me a copy of the letter and it's short. Very nice, but only a paragraph. I know he loves me and thinks I'd make a wonderful doctor, which pisses me off even more. Don't tell me, tell the damn committees!

My lesson learned: don't be afraid to pester people a little. It's your future career on the line and if they agree to do it, they need to do it promptly.

 

[ltrain]

I definitely second the "make up a deadline" strategy. I told all my recommenders that letters were due today, the 15th. One prof had told me back in May that she'd be out of the country, but she'd work on it and we could meet when she got back and send it in. The week she said she'd be back I emailed. No response. I emailed again the next week. No response. I sent another email this week, remindering her of the "due date." No response. Yesterday I called her office to remind again and left a message. Last night at 10pm I get a very nice email saying she wrote a fantastic rec and I can pick it up today. Which I did 🙂

I can only imagine when I would have gotten the letter if I hadn't given a timeline...

 

[Punkn]

I can only imagine when I would have gotten the letter if I hadn't given a timeline...

No kidding! I made my deadline June 15 for my recommenders. It worked out perfectly; the last one was sent it to my pre-med advisor on the 12th. Especially if you anticipate a problem, a "deadline" that's much earlier than when you really need them is great in case something doesn't go as planned. You have more time to straighten everything out before it really impacts your application.