Professor still hasn't submitted my letter of recommendation

[PharmlyDoc]

I asked my professor on the first day of classes of this semester for a letter of recommendation. He said yes, and thus far I have gone to his office 3 times to inquire about the letter. The last time I saw him he said he'd have it done by last thursday but he still hasn't submitted it. Every time I ask him he comes up with the same excuse, and tells me to send him the pharmcas email again, and then he asks when its due. If he didn't want to write me a letter then he shouldn't have said yes. What do I do?

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[trangtn]

Best advice: Find someone else to do it. Keep on bugging him and actually give him a deadline. Say you need it by x date. If he gets it done, great, you'll have an extra LOR. If he doesn't, you'll have another professor's letter all ready to go.

 

[YoAyDri]

I had this same problem. One of them I completely gave up on asking. If that isnt an option, I highly suggest you email or go to the office again and explicitly state how important it is they turn it in immediately. You dont want to be rude, but appeal to their emotions. This is your life/career that they are putting on hold.

 

[nyc76]

Happened to me too and people on here gave great advice: Move on. It happens a lot and it happened to me. I contacted her a bunch of times and each time she said she would do it and to resend the link. Still nothing. So I moved on and got somebody else. Then when I had all my LOR's I deleted her name from my pharmcas list and afterwards she emails me again and gives me a song and dance about how her email wasn't working. I never responded to that one. I probably should just to say thanks but I got it taken care of but I don't know.

I said the same thing to myself...if you didn't want to do it why did you say yes? Don't waste more time on that person. Move on and find someone else. I'd still keep his name up in case he does do it but at this point I'd move on. Plus if he's been this half ass about doing it how good could his LOR be?

 

[PharmlyDoc]

Here is the problem. I don't have anyone else to ask. I thought about asking my invertebrate zoology professor since I got an A in his class, but I only went to his office hours last semester once, so he doesn't know me. I could also ask my statistics professor whom I got an A in his class this past summer, but I barely know him...I graduate from college in less than a month, should I wait till the end of this semester and ask one of my professors then?

 

[Amicable Angora]

I asked my professor on the first day of classes of this semester for a letter of recommendation. He said yes, and thus far I have gone to his office 3 times to inquire about the letter. The last time I saw him he said he'd have it done by last thursday but he still hasn't submitted it. Every time I ask him he comes up with the same excuse, and tells me to send him the pharmcas email again, and then he asks when its due. If he didn't want to write me a letter then he shouldn't have said yes. What do I do?

This is very frustrating, but it happens all the time.

Cut your losses and move on.

(Be ready to deal with more BS in pharmacy school by the way!)

 

[nyc76]

Here is the problem. I don't have anyone else to ask. I thought about asking my invertebrate zoology professor since I got an A in his class, but I only went to his office hours last semester once, so he doesn't know me. I could also ask my statistics professor whom I got an A in his class this past summer, but I barely know him...I graduate from college in less than a month, should I wait till the end of this semester and ask one of my professors then?

I wouldn't worry about the fact that you didn't know him that well. Only you can answer the question because it depends on how you feel about him. For example I got an LOR from a professor who I never went to office hours but I had asked a few questions in class and he seemed friendly. So i emailed him and asked and he was very gracious and said yes. I ended up going to his office afterwards, cuz I offered to meet with him, and we sat for an hour and talked. He was great. Remember part of their jobs as professor is to write LOR's. They don't have to obviously but don't be afraid to ask especially if you got an A in the class. Also if you're doing very well in classes you are currently taking then I would use this month and a half and maybe as some questions and be proactive in class. Then ask them at the end....I dont know if that will delay your apps though.

But don't feel like you dont have options. You do especially if you got an A in their class. Just ask and if they say no then move to the next on the list.

 

[trangtn]

Here is the problem. I don't have anyone else to ask. I thought about asking my invertebrate zoology professor since I got an A in his class, but I only went to his office hours last semester once, so he doesn't know me. I could also ask my statistics professor whom I got an A in his class this past summer, but I barely know him...I graduate from college in less than a month, should I wait till the end of this semester and ask one of my professors then?

You don't necessarily have to know the prof well. If you're friendly and show him that you really need the letter, I'm sure someone will do it. Make sure to offer as much details and information about you as possible. For me, I provided my professor with my resume and a cover letter outlining my future goals, my experiences, etc. A lot of people also share their personal statement with their LOR writers as well. So doesn't really matter which professor writes your letter, as long as you make sure they have good, solid material to talk about you in their letter.

 

[sunnybee25]

I'd say to just hunt them down in person because there is only so much impact an email or a call can do. Sometimes, they are busy and forget (they're human too). My professor stalled for a good six months and I finally went to her office hours the next semester and as soon as she saw me, she knew what I was gonna ask her lol. So, show yourself in person and let them know. That is the best and direct way if you have no back ups.