Still waiting for my PI's letter. App submitted. What should I do?

[2ne1]

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I asked my PI for a rec letter in April, he told me to come back with personal statment in May so I brought him all the materials he needed in early May. I visited him 2 weeks ago (I just said I dropped by, and didn't mention about the letter) and he told me he is a little behind with letters..He didn't tell me when he was planning to write it. I told him I will be submitting my app soon and also that I am going abroad soon. I still haven't recieved the letter. I submitted my app last week; everything is completed except for his letter.
I don't want to be rude and rush him, but as I will be leaving the U.S. next week, I am starting to get worried. I am using Interfolio and wanted to send letters to AADSAS before I leave.
Do you guys have a advice on what to do? Should I email him? or visit him? or just leave him alone..? Is it my job to consistently remind him of letters? I was wondering if it would be rude to ask him when he is planning to submit the letter.... Any advice?

 

[KLW1021]

I was faced with the same problem, but with 3 of my 4 letters outstanding. One of my professors said she was having technical difficulties submitting. As a friendly reminder, I send out an email warning other professors of the technical difficulties and to contact me so that I could contact AADSAS if it were an issue for them. So far its worked for 2 letters and that was 24 hours ago. Still waiting for 1 though...my next step would be to send a friendly email indicating how much I've spent on application, worked for a good DAT score, and prepared a competitive application. I will say that the only thing standing between me and positive consideration by D-schools is the letter. Something along those lines. good luck!

 

[rnbaxter]

You have to get through the first couple of cuts to even reach that phase of the selection process. The way I see it you can have your LORs sent into your schools even through November and you will be just fine-- that is if your application and other statistics are strong enough to make you that far.

 

[threeblindmice]

All depends on how comfortable you are with him. I have one of my professors that I know really well and I felt completely comfortable telling him to do it sooner. Others I knew I probably shouldn't bother them to get it in based on their personality. If the PI seems really busy like your letter is at the bottom of his list of things to do then just hold off and be patient.

 

[Rach7]

I am in a similar situation. My application will be mailed on July 2nd. If my recommendations are not in before then, is the application sent without them? Also, are the recommendations forwarded as soon as they're received by AADSAS?

 

[rortsdental]

Rach7 I am in the same situation as you. I went to the ADEA website and here's what I found:

Q: What happens if my letters of evaluation are received by ADEA AADSAS after my application has been sent to the schools?

A: Letters received after your ADEA AADSAS application has been sent to your designated schools will be forwarded in the next mailing that occurs after their receipt. Check the Status bar to monitor the date letters are sent to your schools.

So pretty much, the application will be mailed out without the letter. Once the letter is submitted it is sent out on the closest mailing date.

 

[DividedByZero]

Rach7 I am in the same situation as you. I went to the ADEA website and here's what I found:

Q: What happens if my letters of evaluation are received by ADEA AADSAS after my application has been sent to the schools?

A: Letters received after your ADEA AADSAS application has been sent to your designated schools will be forwarded in the next mailing that occurs after their receipt. Check the Status bar to monitor the date letters are sent to your schools.

So pretty much, the application will be mailed out without the letter. Once the letter is submitted it is sent out on the closest mailing date.

It will get mailed out, sure. But that doesn't mean it will be considered by the schools. You'll just have an incomplete file sitting there instead of at AADSAS.

Trust me, I was in the SAME situation when I applied two years ago and he didn't end up submitting the letter until September and by then it was too late. My advice would be to ASK SOMEONE ELSE if you don't feel comfortable telling him to hurry it up.

 

[Rach7]

Thanks for the help everyone!

As of today, my committee letter has been received by AADSAS. The letter I am supposed to have from a dentist has not been written yet. Would schools consider my application without the dentist letter, or not at all? I really need to figure out how to hurry him up...

 

[threeblindmice]

Depends on the school and how long your dentist takes. Too many variables to give a definite answer

 

[kevinrho]

Help? I am in a similar situation except, the advisor that I need the letter from is on maternity leave until beginning of august. I have not been able to contact her and she will not have the letter in until maybe september. This is probably bad for me correct? This is the letter that I was hoping to be the best out of all of them too.

 

[sfrice80]

A lot of people get in this situation because getting letters of rec out of PI's is somewhat of a pain sometimes. They are usually on their own schedules and sometimes just plain lazy. I would just write a polite email with a sense of urgency in regards to deadlines and early submission. Just let him know the earlier he/she gets it in, the better your chances of getting accepted and tell them you got everything else done. This is a polite way of saying HURRY UP!