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Discussion

letters of recommendation

I need some advice. For one of the schools I am applying to I need 2 letters of recommendation. I got 2 professors who agreed to write them. One of them has already submitted it, the other has not. I asked him originally in May when I was taking a class with him. Then I reconfirmed with him in October and I was finally ready to have him send it in in November. It is due Jan. 15 and he has not submitted it yet or sent me a confirmation that he got the email link to the letter. I don't go to the school that he teaches at so I only communicate with him through email. I know they are on break right now, but I am worried he might forget about me. How much should I bug him? It is so important. It is too late for me to find someone else since everyone is on break. Help!

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FIND ANOTHER REFERENCE NOW!

I had this happen to me, and I never heard from that professor and it ended up too late, and had to wait a year. I feel like that one persons lack of follow through put my life on hold for a year.

I need some advice. For one of the schools I am applying to I need 2 letters of recommendation. I got 2 professors who agreed to write them. One of them has already submitted it, the other has not. I asked him originally in May when I was taking a class with him. Then I reconfirmed with him in October and I was finally ready to have him send it in in November. It is due Jan. 15 and he has not submitted it yet or sent me a confirmation that he got the email link to the letter. I don't go to the school that he teaches at so I only communicate with him through email. I know they are on break right now, but I am worried he might forget about me. How much should I bug him? It is so important. It is too late for me to find someone else since everyone is on break. Help!

I agree with the other poster. Get another reference!! Forget this guy. Anyone who drags their feet this much is trying to tell you something -- they don't want to do it.

If you can't get another professor then use a job or volunteer reference instead.

Best of luck. :)

  • Experts
I agree with the other poster. Get another reference!! Forget this guy. Anyone who drags their feet this much is trying to tell you something -- they don't want to do it.

If you can't get another professor then use a job or volunteer reference instead.

Best of luck. :)

I agree with both previous posters. Find another reference now. Anybody is better than missing a reference and having to wait another whole year like RNedit. Good luck.

  • Author

I appreciate your opinions. I really do not have any one else to ask. I have been out of school and the workforce for 10 years to raise my kids so I have no connections other than from the classes I have recently taken and I have used all the references I can from there. I guess I was wondering how fast other people get responses for recommendations and how to word an email nicely so the recommender understands the urgency of a reply.

  • Experts

I'm sorry this has happened to you. Either this person is a flake or perhaps it has just slipped by them. I was fortunate enough that anyone who agreed to provide me with a reference has always come through with one exception. They have provided letters or filled out the forms and submitted them quickly. I don't know what to tell you except you need to find someone or get in touch with this person. I have heard of people who have had friends act as "references" for them. They would come up with some storyline that was hard to verify and the other person would compose the letter or be prepared for the phone call. I'm not recommending this course of action, only telling you that it does happen. This is why it is always advisable to keep future references in mind when dealing with people. I know it's hard to do, but still necessary. I've been noticing on job applications lately that they want work references from the past three years only. Well, time goes by. My references are from four and five years ago. I feel stuck, so I know exactly what you are facing.

I'm sorry this has happened to you..but you have to do what's best for YOU! Forget email..is there anyway you can visit the school..or call him. You need to talk to him NOW!

Also, you don't have to have a previous teacher (at least for my school, I don't). You can get former employers..former co-workers..clergy..someone who can attest to your characteristics as a hardworking and moral student. Of course, do not get family or friends..you need to get someone who knows you more "professionally".

But, time is of the essence! I wish you luck!

  • Author

I got my letter of recommendation from him last week. I sent him an email explaining how stressed out I was and he did it right away. What a relief! Thanks all for the advice.

Great!! A wonderful start to the new year!!

Congrats!

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