Remind Professor About Letter of Reccomendation

[DrScrub]

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Hey guys,

I recently asked my professors for letter of recommendations (about 3 weeks ago for one, and 1 week ago for another). I was wondering how I would go about reminding them about the letter without seeming too pushy, and when a good time to remind them would be.

Also, none of them asked me when the letter was due, they just agreed to do it; so should I slip this in when reminding them?

Thanks!

 

[corndogger]

3 weeks is enough time that they've probably forgotten. I would wait at least two before reminding, making sure you state the deadline and humbly ask when they'll be able to complete it by.

don't remind them every 2 weeks though

 

[DrScrub]

3 weeks is enough time that they've probably forgotten. I would wait at least two before reminding, making sure you state the deadline and humbly ask when they'll be able to complete it by.

don't remind them every 2 weeks though

So do you think I should email the one professor who I asked 3 weeks ago?

And what should I say. Should I say something along the lines of, "Hi Sir, Thanks once again for writing the letter. I just wanted to thank you once again for writing the letter, and was wondering if you needed anything else from me. I was just sending a friendly reminder, about the letter deadline being June 1st.

Thanks"

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

So do you think I should email the one professor who I asked 3 weeks ago?

And what should I say. Should I say something along the lines of, "Hi Sir, Thanks once again for writing the letter. I just wanted to thank you once again for writing the letter, and was wondering if you needed anything else from me. I was just sending a friendly reminder, about the letter deadline being June 1st.

Thanks"

I attached my personal statement and my resume, asked them if they needed any more info from me, and thanked them for writing my recs.

 

[SN12357]

I attached my personal statement and my resume, asked them if they needed any more info from me, and thanked them for writing my recs.

A good number of reminders/notifications is:

1. The original ask
2. One month before the letter is due
3. Two weeks before letter is due (if you were to remove one from this list, it's this one...but some profs REALLY need/want the reminders--base it off their temperament).
4. One week before letter is due
5. two days before letter is due if they haven't sent it in.

Every reminder should include the deadline, and resend your materials. Don't remind at regular intervals before a far away date. Most professors will write the letters when the deadline is thrust upon them and not any earlier, so there's no point in sending reminders that aren't tied to the deadline itself.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

I agree with SN12357. You don't want to be a nuisance about your reminders; they have to mean something. Just because a certain amount of time has passed doesn't mean they're late. Because you didn't give them a deadline in the first place, you should include that info in whatever email you send next, but don't start sounding "concerned" without a reason.

 

[corndogger]

Agree with SN12357. You don't want to be a nuisance about your reminders; they have to mean something. Just because a certain amount of time has passed doesn't mean they're late. Because you didn't give them a deadline in the first place, you should include in whatever email you send next, but don't start sounding "concerned" without a reason.

I guess it depends on the relationship too. I had to remind a prof I worked closely with quite a few times because he's very forgetful (slipped his mind each time until I reminded him). It's a fine line between helpful reminders and being a pest though.

 

[DrScrub]

A good number of reminders/notifications is:

1. The original ask
2. One month before the letter is due
3. Two weeks before letter is due (if you were to remove one from this list, it's this one...but some profs REALLY need/want the reminders--base it off their temperament).
4. One week before letter is due
5. two days before letter is due if they haven't sent it in.

Every reminder should include the deadline, and resend your materials. Don't remind at regular intervals before a far away date. Most professors will write the letters when the deadline is thrust upon them and not any earlier, so there's no point in sending reminders that aren't tied to the deadline itself.

Thanks for the responses guys!

What should I say in the letters in order to not sound rude; because everytime I write something and read it over, I feel that it sounds rude/pushy, and I just erase it :S

 

[kyamh]

I like the phrase:

"I wanted to touch base about ..."