<p>I've already graduated (this past May) and I'm not at the university anymore. I had semi-kept in touch with some of my professors, among them the professor I'm talking about here. I emailed him several weeks ago asking if he would write my LOR for grad school. No response, and I have no way of personally going up to him and asking him about it face to face. My first deadline is 15 December. I literally have less than two weeks, he hasn't responded, the professor who I contacted as a backup a few days ago hasn't responded. All the guides say not to pressure potential recommenders. I don't know what to do, I'm panicking and it's especially hard because now that my dad's gone, my mother has become an enormous vortex of negativity who thinks I'm a lazy and unqualified wretch so if I don't want her gloating over me even more I have to pretend that everything is going fine</p>
<p>God, I hope I managed not to sound panicked. I really want him to write for me; other than my advisor, he’s the only professor I’ve taken multiple classes with.</p>
<p>I had the same problem couple years ago. I emailed profs for reference letters but no response at all. Therefore I came to their offices and asked them in person. Problem solved. The best you can do now is to talk to them in person.</p>
<p>Since it appears that face-to-face is not an option, you should try giving him/them a call - professors get a ton of email, and they may simply be missing yours. I would not recommend sending more than two emails in any case, as after that they are only going to leave a bad impression at best.</p>
<p>@Micro: I can’t. I’ve graduated and I don’t live anywhere near the university.</p>
<p>@cosmicfish: I’m terrible on the phone (SA is so much fun) but that may be the last remaining option. Would it be pushy to call after having sent a total of two emails?</p>
<p>@Axelrod: I don’t know. It’s possible? It’s really difficult for me to evaluate those kinds of dynamics. Um, I did pretty well in his classes, he’s written a rec for me before (for a scholarship), we corresponded a little over the summer regarding research directions. Maybe he feels like he’s given too much of his time to me already. I don’t know.</p>
<p>Oh my god he replied. Okay, I feel like I’m about to fall apart into a zillion bits of nerveless relief. Thanks for telling me to email him again; it seems so sensible post-facto, but I can never think sensibly in the throes of anxiety and the voices of rational others are an immense help.</p>