<p>I am really very disappointed in UVA...for a university that prides itself in the students' honesty and integrity...are faculty members not held to such high standards as well??
My DD approached her professor a few months ago for a letter of recommendation and was told....Okay. She handed in all the necessary info and sent reminders monthly first then on a weekly basis..it has been months....still no letter...kept saying he will try to do it by the end of the week. What do you parents suggest she should do? She is running out of time! Go to the dean? Station herself in front of the door? Other professor choices either retired or moved out of the country or could not write her a letter.</p>
<p>What is it for?</p>
<p>While I can certainly understand your daughter’s frustration, I fail to see how this is a reflection on “UVA” itself - nor is it an issue for the dean. It sounds like an individual professor who wished to help your daughter out, but for some reason or the other (and we don’t know what that is) is finding it impossible to accomplish. Recommendation letters are not a 5 minute activity - and someone who wants to do it right knows it will be a considerable time investment - and your daughter should understand that it is not a small request to make of someone. It’s unfortunate for her that she did not have a backup in place. I’m not trying to be hard on your daughter, but as an adult now she needs to be the one driving the completion of her requirements, and managing the contingencies, even when someone else says they will help. If it were me I would try to reach out to one of the retired or moved professors - location does not preclude them from being able to help if they are so inclined. Best of luck to her.</p>
<p>If she still wants one from this Professor, then go see him in person. It’s too easy for him to hide from emails. That being said, I’m not so sure I would want a recommendation from him at this point. Doesn’t seem like he wants to take the time to write a quality one.</p>
<p>Professors have a lot on their plate!
Whenever I wanted a letter, I would come in person with chocolate and was told more than once to wait (not look at what they were writing but sit in the office and amuse myself with my laptop) while they did it or else other things would inevitably take precedence and it would never get done otherwise. Seemed to work for me. I also always asked 2+ more people to write letters than I actually needed in case someone flaked. Good luck!</p>
<p>I feel for your D and she is not alone. I agree that the professor needs to be accountable somehow. My S going thru the something and I saw similar issue posted by another parent. If they are not going to write, they should not agree. My S only has a few days left in one school he applied to. Same issue with professors no longer in UVA, They need to see the dean for advise. </p>
<p>robertr: seeing the professor in person does not help. Same response. “I’ll get to it this weekend”. Problem is that kids are running out of options when their other science professor are not longer at UVA.</p>
<p>hazel: unfortunately some school requires the LOR from a specific subject and the students may only have 2 or 3 of these classed, and if some professors are longer at UVA, they have not option. The only other option is to wait till the next semester and ask for the professor in that class. That will either put them behind the application cycle for rolling admission or reply again next year (one year wasted).</p>
<p>I suggest davh01 and Wickie PM to put their students in touch with each other. If their students are in the same or similar disciplines the students can jointly approach the dept. head about the problem getting letters. I would also suggest the students be the ones to register the complaints/point out the problems they have encountered.</p>
<p>Word of advice to future students who believe they may be interested in grad programs – make sure to make a strong connection with a professor in your area of interest. You are much more likely to get a letter down the road from a professor you have a strong connection with.</p>
<p>AVA55: he helped the professor for a whole year last year and is identified in the department webpage. If I say what he did, he could be identified. So I won’t say it in a forum. That’s why he is disappointed and frustrated.</p>
<p>Well, try the pre-gift (it works wonders for me). Makes them feel guilty when the chocolate/gift is sitting out in front of them and they still haven’t written.</p>