Can't Get Recommendation From School

[BHRN85]

I have come across a problem with preparing my grad school applications: It has been so long since I have been in school, none of my professors or the dean will respond to my requests for recommendations and I'm pretty sure none of them remember me. At the time I didn't think I would be going to grad school and didn't attempt to keep in touch with any of them. Just about every school wants a professor or dean to write a recommendation. I'm sure I can't be the only one who has had this issue, or at least I hope not.... Any suggestions? Thx!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Have you contacted an admissions advisor at the school to help? They have likely dealt with those in your situation in the past, and may have an answer/advice for you.

[elkpark]

It might be worth making a visit to the school to speak face-to-face with your former faculty about your situation; that would likely refresh their memory and they may be more willing to help you.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Schools keep records about your performance in clinicals. Remember those midterm and end of semester forms? Someone at the school can find your file, I hope, and write a letter from what is read there. That's part of the reason those forms are kept...in case no one is around who remembers a student...

[beekee]

If you are emailing, stop. Call. Stop in if you can. Much harder to ignore when you are standing in front of them.

[campka]

They might not check their school email during vacations. If you don't get responses after January 20th, when school is back in session, I'd try emailing one more time. When you email them, make sure you write a brief description of the class you took with them and attach your transcript and resume. You also might consider taking a refresher course as part of preparing for grad school. Alternatively, the admissions committee may accept recommendations from your manager at work instead of a professor.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Emails pile up. An instructor can get a hundred or more in a couple of days. It's easy to overlook some of them. Also, some really don't like email and avoid it. Annnddd....over a break, the emails might disappear into cyberspace, depending on what upgrades are done during that time, to the internet system. Write a letter. Make a phone call, Stop in...

[msuRNcc, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Usually those are just generalized requirements. I've had schools waive that and allow me to have someone else write a LOR for me. Some programs just want it as a confirmation that you actually attended the school and graduated (...just look at the transcript?). I would just call the specific grad program and ask, typically they understand and will allow you to substitute someone else.