<p>does that mean they don't want to write it? should I send another email?</p>
<p>How long have you waited? The professor may not be in town, or may not be able to reply for another reason. Give it a few days.</p>
<p>Did you send the initial inquiry from your university email account? Your email may have gotten stuck in a spam filter.</p>
<p>Did you leave a voicemail to ask for an appointment? That is the best way to inquire about the possibility of an LoR – at an in-person appointment, to which you bring all necessary materials.</p>
<p>It’s been about a week. I’m mainly concerned because the letter is due in 2 weeks. He’s written one for me before so I assumed he would have no problem updating it.</p>
<p>He’s a thousand miles away, so I couldn’t meet with him. Think I should call him?</p>
<p>Is the prof bad at responding to emails? I would call him. If you didn’t ask for extra letters, I would immediately. I had to apply to grad schools without one of my regular writers, because the prof just went awol for a semester. He has submitted letters since for me.</p>
<p>If they wrote you won before, they are probably willing to do it again.</p>
<p>due in 2 weeks is a little scary, but if he’s already written you letters before, then it won’t take him much work to update it and send off a new one. if you can get a telephone number (since you can’t meet in person) call during what you would guess would be his normal working hours.</p>
<p>Yes. Call. During office hours, if possible.</p>
<p>How long does it take for a professor to write a LoR? Do they write it all at once, or save their progress and return at another day?</p>
<p>Mines are due in a few weeks and I’d like to know if it can be done in a day.</p>
<p>^ Dude that depends on the person… how long they’ve known you, if they have written one before (thus just update). Not all profs are made the same, they are people just like anyone… it is like asking how long it takes for someone to buy Christmas gifts for everyone.</p>
<p>I am quite certain that my previous boss can generate an LOR in under thirty seconds. He doesn’t always remember to change the gender of the pronouns in the letter.</p>
<p>^ belevitt, how much does that hurt you in the admissions process because I’m confident these things will happen in my case, lol.</p>
<p>He finally replied. 10 minutes after I decided to ask someone else…</p>
<p>Is there any way I can politely tell the second person I no longer need a letter? Or should I just let them write and submit it, but not use it as one of my 3 required letters?</p>
<p>Go ahead and let them both write one so you have a spare in case your first choice flakes on you at the last minute. That happens sometimes.</p>
<p>Many, though not all, programs allow you to send four letters. If the letters are good, this bit of luck could help your application. In addition, you have a buffer in case one of the four doesn’t get his/her letter in on time.</p>