<p>I'm a little angry about something and I wanted to seek some advice from those who may have experienced this. I asked a teacher the week before Christmas break to complete a scholarship recommendations form that is due this coming Monday. I emailed her over the break, as well as this past weekend, and she said she would give me the form back very soon. I asked her to have it by today, but when I went to get it, she told me she had lost the form and would require another copy. Though she promised to have it completed by the end of the day, I feel as if I may have lost out on the scholarship--she obviously rushed it. This seems so irresponsible and may jeopardize me having the opportunity for this award. I could not select another teacher, because of a particular service project I completed with the person I asked. I've completed all of the other facets of the application, numerous essays, etc..weeks ago. How would you handle this situation? Should I really be concerned; do you think my efforts at presenting myself in the application will make up for her haste?</p>
<p>=(</p>
<p>I think you are being very shortsighted and unappreciative. The form is due Monday, and probably was one of many recommendation forms the teacher (who probably also has family and other responsibilities) was responsible for.</p>
<p>How I'd handle the situation would be to be very gracious about the fact that the teacher is using her precious time to do a favor for me. I'd thank her verbally, and also give her a gracious handwritten note. </p>
<p>As for her "rushing" the form, that's typically what happens with all recommendations. Teachers usually have dozens to write, and have to squeeze the time in to do them while also handling their job duties, family responsibilities, etc. </p>
<p>Scholarship committees (I say this having served on local, state and national ones) know that recommenders have a limited amount of time, and also are doing favors for others. The scholarship committees, however, do expect that the applicants themselves will take the time to do well on something that would directly benefit themselves.</p>
<p>It is really hard for teachers to get "extra" recommendations out in addition to the college ones. That doesn't excuse being late when someone is relying on you, but try to understand how pressed for time she might be. There might be a lot of students asking her to write last minute recommendations for college applications right now. As long as her recommendation was positive, I'm sure the rest of your application will speak for itself.</p>