<p>I am a college student and asked a professor for a letter of recommendation a year ago for a scholarship I was applying to. I have had no communication with him since, and now I would like to use his letter for a program I'm applying to. My question is, do professors generally keep a copy of letters they write for extended periods of time in case the student will need them in the future? </p>
<p>Also, since I have had no contact with him in about a year, will it be considered weird to email him out of the blue for the LOR?</p>
<p>Generally the letters barring computer crashes or the like will still be in the files. If the professor is reasonably organized they should be able to find it. I don’t think there’s a problems saying, “You wrote me a letter of rec. for xyz last year. I’m now applying to qrs and wonder if you would be able to provide a letter for them as well.” Obviously if the programs are very similar it will be easy for the letter to be adjusted, depending on just what the content of the letter is.</p>
<p>Professors that I’ve asked for letters of recommendation generally keep them on their computers (although it might get lost somewhere if the professor isn’t very organized or if it’s been years since they’ve spoken to you and have cleaned out old files or something), and most are happy to send it off to someone else. I think most professors are used to getting these types of requests.</p>
<p>You might want to consider reminding them who you are, if they haven’t spoken to you in a while, and give them a little update on what you’ve been up to lately and what you’re applying for. That way they can update their letter, if they wish to, and many professors like to hear what’s going on with their old students regardless.</p>
<p>Speaking as a professor whose weekend plans include writing updated letters of recommendation for former students who I’ve already written for, I’m sure your prof can do this. I ask for a current resume or info about what it is they’re applying for so that I can make the letter as personal as possible…and our department faculty are always interested to know what our alumni are up to. (So is the alumni office, but they usually have their hand out. 
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