<p>I'm looking at a deadline of Jan. 5th for Stanford. I'm not so worried about two of my recommenders, but the third professor did not respond to the email reminder I sent in mid-November. She was also sent an automated reminder from the online application system. I just want to ensure that everything is submitted in less than a month's time now. I'd like to ping her again since it has been a few weeks, but I don't want to hurry or irritate her. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>I sent my original notification to all of my recommenders back in September. From what I hear, it is the trend for professors to submit their letters somewhat close to the deadline date. ;]</p>
<p>dear Dr. Genius. I know what a busy time it is in the academy, and I am very grateful you are willing to take some of that time to prepare my recommendation. can I be of any help to you in doing so? Thanks so much,</p>
<p>Sure, you can send another reminder. Freps’ suggestion is fine.</p>
<p>However, for a January 5 due date, the professor is unlikely to send in your letter until after fall semester’s grading is completed. (Probably around Dec 20.)</p>
<p>How do I know this? Years and years of sending letters on Dec 20th myself.</p>
<p>I would send a polite email. One of my deadlines was Friday, and one writer got it in on Friday afternoon and the other one is still MIA, despite being in constant/good contact with both (the third recommender sent in the letter a month ago)</p>
<p>I had a Friday deadline too. Good thing I asked more recommenders than I needed; one got theirs in almost two months ago, but one turned it in on Tuesday and the third turned theirs in on Friday at 3 pm (it was due 5 pm). Still have one MIA - I could’ve submitted 4 but I only needed 3.</p>
<p>One thing I have learned over the years - give a couple of weeks between reminders in the beginning, but if it is getting near crunch time and you don’t hear anything, don’t be shy about sending polite reminders including the due date of the recommendation and what it is for, and asking your writers if they need anything else from you to prepare their rec letter. I mean, you don’t want to be annoying, but on the other hand you really can’t help that all these stupid fellowships and grad programs want recommendation letters :D</p>
<p>Well, the professor who I was concerned might be late ended up submitting her rec not two days after I started this thread. The 2nd recommender also finished up.</p>
<p>It’s the last recommender who I have not yet received word from on her progress, after sending two reminders. She communicated more in the beginning of the semester, but I don’t know the status today. I haven’t entered freak-out mode yet, but the deadline is only 13 days away, and that includes Christmas vacation!!</p>
<p>Recs are definitely the most stressful component of the application.</p>
<p>No more than once per hour…any more than that and you risk becoming obnoxious. Seriously, programs seem to be understanding about receiving letters of rec after the deadline.</p>
<p>per Prof X’s comment,
Do remember that all professors are inundated by requests for LORs by all of their many past and current students. In addition, profs have day jobs that include teaching, grading, university duties and often grant writing to support the salaries of all in their group.</p>
<p>Always, make the task easy for the letter writer. Resend your CV or summary of achievements with each reminder and the summary of what this LOR is for! </p>
<p>Also, as stated by many others, programs (graduate and fellowship) are often tolerant of slightly late letters from profs. Why? Because we’re all in the same boat and understand the tremendous workload!</p>
<p>I have sent a reminder to a Professor about once a week. I even called on the day the LOR was due and was told that he would be sending it in. It has been exactly one week and still nothing has been submitted. I was told that they know a Professor that if that person does not like the student for any reason will agree to write a LOR, but will actually not submit one. I’d like to trust the Professor, but comments like these worry me.</p>
That’s very malicious. The “ethics” of letter-writing dictate that, if you have any hesitation about writing a supportive letter for someone, you should just say no. LORs are no place for purposeful revenge or punishment.</p>
<p>If someone agrees to write you a letter - and assuming that writing a letter for you is not an uncomfortable position you forced your letter writer into - then the scenario you outlined is not going to happen. The true explanation will be either plain forgetfulness or (more likely) procrastination.</p>