Reminding Professor about LOR

[Ladholyman]

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I am getting a bit panick-y about my last LOR. After sending him a short reminder, he responded with this:

"I'll try to knock that off this week. Thanks for your patience."

But now it's been almost two weeks. What should I do?

 

[VCU07]

I am getting a bit panick-y about my last LOR. After sending him a short reminder, he responded with this:

"I'll try to knock that off this week. Thanks for your patience."

But now it's been almost two weeks. What should I do?

I have been waiting 2.5 months! Every time I send an email they keep telling me they will have it done within a few days. Well, my app is verified and the schools are waiting on these letters. Don't know what to tell you, I am in the same situation.

 

[ziggyd0c]

how much time is appropriate to give them?

 

[Alvarez13]

My organic chem professor took 2 months and I finally gave up and found another source. It was very irritating.

Here's what you need to do in order to refresh their memory. Update your personal statement or resume that you gave them. Just a couple little changes and then go see them to drop it off. It will remind them about the letter and maybe discuss where you're at in the application process.

The other 4 professors I got recs from had it done in a week, two at the most. One guy did it in 2 days. It's not that hard and shouldn't take longer than two weeks. Make sure to always give these guys a deadline when you do this...

 

[ziggyd0c]

My organic chem professor took 2 months and I finally gave up and found another source. It was very irritating.

Here's what you need to do in order to refresh their memory. Update your personal statement or resume that you gave them. Just a couple little changes and then go see them to drop it off. It will remind them about the letter and maybe discuss where you're at in the application process.

The other 4 professors I got recs from had it done in a week, two at the most. One guy did it in 2 days. It's not that hard and shouldn't take longer than two weeks. Make sure to always give these guys a deadline when you do this...

oh, wow. i was told to give them like a month. it sucks because i've since moved away from where i went to undergrad so i can't just pop in and nag them. i guess i'll think of something to email them lol.

 

[BigChubbyMD]

I found false deadlines worked pretty well. Say that the letter is the last thing and it is due by July 15th (this sounds like a real deadline, and gives enough time to finish). Say that if they cannot get it done, please let you know and they will find someone else. Then thank them profusely.

Professors are busy and tend to be scatterbrained, so patience and gentle reminders are important. Although they might be delaying cause they know they wouldn't write you a good one for some reason (don't know you, don't think highly of you, etc.)

 

[Ladholyman]

Although they might be delaying cause they know they wouldn't write you a good one for some reason (don't know you, don't think highly of you, etc.)

Oh goodness, I hope that's not the case.