professor isn't emailing me back - what should I do?

[chloroform2009]

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About a few weeks ago, I emailed a professor asking if he can write me a recommendation for med school. It was a professor that I've never personally spoken to but, surprisingly, he said he was willing to do so. This prof was also retired and living many states away from me, and, so again, you can imagine my amazement at his supposed willingness to help me.

Since I obviously couldn't see him in person, we had to email each other back and forth repeatedly regarding the letter. Many of our emails were long, as some topics included current events and maybe a little politics. We replied to each other's email within one day.

But recently, I've been getting home from work very late and tired. And I ran out of things to say in response to his latest email. So I took my time in writing up a response.

So I sent him another reply but it took me about one week to write this email. Now, it's been about three days and there has been no response from him. ( again, his emails are very prompt; you always hear from him in one day or less )

My recommendation still hasn't been written yet because, as of late, he was waiting for his former school to mail him departmental letterheads he can write on.

What should I do? Do I email him again?

 

[ksmi117]

It took you a week to respond, and it's only been 3 days?? Why don't you wait a little bit longer before you stress out? Give it a few more days.

 

[Stratego]

Call the department secretary. You can ask the clerical person to inquire on your behalf if the letterhead stationary was sent, or not. No point in being a nag if a necessary action has not yet occurred.

 

[schrizto]

Call the department secretary. Maybe he's out with H1N1 or some other illness. You can ask the clerical person to inquire on your behalf if the letterhead stationary has arrived, or not. No point in being a nag if a necessary action has not yet occurred.

If the professor's retired like the OP says the department secretary at his former school probably wouldn't know what's going on.

 

[J ROD]

I would just ask someone else....much easier IMHO.

 

[redsquareblack]

Jump him.

 

[J ROD]

Jump him.

LOR check, Fool!!

 

[Rolling Stone]

It took you a week to respond, and it's only been 3 days?? Why don't you wait a little bit longer before you stress out? Give it a few more days.

That's right. The professor probably thought it not an urgent matter after getting the last response from you.

 

[BlueElmo]

Email again.

 

[Pedie Packs]

Email him back politely while also making him feel bad.

"Due to approaching deadlines and interviews filling up, I am going to have to terminate your letter for my application to medical school. If possible, the letter can still enhance my app if submitted within (short amount of time). Thanks for your help."

 

[ksmi117]

Email him back politely while also making him feel bad.

"Due to approaching deadlines and interviews filling up, I am going to have to terminate your letter for my application to medical school. If possible, the letter can still enhance my app if submitted within (short amount of time). Thanks for your help."

I'm willing to bet this is someone applying for next cycle, so no deadlines are coming up any time soon.