<p>Greetings. Sorry if something similar has been posted already elsewhere...</p>
<p>I'm in a bit of a pickle. I'm in the process of applying for my M.A. (moving to PhD afterward) in Japanese Studies, specifically premodern Japanese history. My undergrad degree was in Asian Studies, Japan concentration. I am fervently passionate about the subject, and want to eventually teach at the college level. Out of the five schools I'm applying to, four require three letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>However, I graduated five years ago from a small school with a very small Asian Studies department. Out of the five professors I worked under, two are definite yeses, one declined due to him not remembering me, one has not responded yet (it's been about two weeks), and the one I worked closest unfortunately declined due to being retired.</p>
<p>If my last professor doesn't bite, I might end up asking my boss of two years for a recommendation. However, I'm currently working in a field that has absolutely NOTHING to do with Japanese history (Accounting...). My boss and I are quite close and she's fought ardently to keep me when my company went through several waves of major downsizing. </p>
<p>I know my boss wouldn't give me a recommendation less than glowing, but I wonder how much weight it would have? She really hasn't seen me in an academic light (aside from when I helped her with her own degree work), but believes I've done astoundingly well for working in a field I'm poor at and honestly dislike. If put in a field I'm passionate about...</p>
<p>What do you think? A potentially mediocre rec from a field-related prof, or a definite glowing rec from a boss who's completely NON field-related?</p>
<p>(For the record, I didn't want to go into grad school immediately following due to fear of burnout. My undergrad work was quite rigorous, and I also felt some corporate experience would help. It hasn't.)</p>
<p>A letter from your employer would be absolutely inappropriate in your case. Since two of your letters will be from professors in Asian Studies, I would advise you to request a letter from a former professor from another discipline.</p>
<p>If you have all the normal supporting materials at hand (a copy of a statement of purpose, a current CV, copies of research papers written for the classes you took with said professor, records of the grades you earned from said professor), then the professor should have little difficulty composing a good letter of rec.</p>
<p>And for the record, while five years may seem a very long time to you (ah, youth!) it is not a long time at all in terms of the memory of a professor.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response, Professor X. See, that’s the problem–all the professors I took (major-related) classes with have either declined or, in the case of one, haven’t responded. Again, I went to a <really> small school with a <really> small Asian Studies department. Asking a non-major professor that I only took a general ed requirement class with will be an exercise in futility since I’m pretty sure I won’t be remembered.</really></really></p>
<p>The biggest blow was the prof I took the most classes with being retired and stating he no longer does recommendations. He’s excited for me and wants to know how I’m doing as I go along, and is giving me loads of advice. But, I fear his refusal to write a rec for me (despite his enthusiasm) will kill my prospects before I even get to go. Would it be gauche to try to persuade him to reconsider? I don’t want to tick him off, but at the same time if the other prof never responds (or declines), I’m stuck. I haven’t taken any classes since then, so I honestly have no one else academically to ask.</p>
<p>Honestly, if I were a professor and for whatever reason declined to write a former student who took several of my classes a letter of reference (i.e., retired, hated the person, thought they were an idiot, didn’t remember them, or just flat didn’t want to bother with it), I wouldn’t expect the type of friendly, ongoing rapport this previous professor is enjoying with you.</p>
<p>No, persuading him to write you a letter of recommendation would not be gauche. Persistence after declination would be gauche if you had no relationship. But he is encouraging you, offering advice, and even asking for updates of your experience. Swallow a little bit of your pride and appeal to his sense of decency. You need this recommendation!!</p>
<p>I agree with Marie - I would try one more time. Explain that you understand his reluctance, but point out your inability to get a third LOR from any other source, and why. If he still refuses, how then are you any worse off by annoying someone who is not a significant help to you?</p>
<p>I would make another attempt or two to contact that other professor first. Indeed, if the reluctant professor is offering you advice, you may want to use that as a lead-in - “Professor Able, I have not been able to get a hold of Professor Baker, and he is the only other professor at Whatsamadda U who might still remember me. Do you have any ideas on how I can contact him?” After experiencing some of you frustration, he may write that letter himself.</p>
<p>I think GradBoundMarie and Cosmicfish make excellent points.</p>
<p>Explain your situation, and try again. I am honestly failing to understand why your retired professor will not write, but perhaps you might help him to reconsider if you can make him understand that he is both your best and potentially your only viable option.</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch everyone! Turns out the third (non-retired) professor responded to me almost immediately after my stressing over this situation. So now I have my three. I’m still a bit miffed at my retired professor, especially I took the bulk of my major classes with him, he was the chair, AND my student advisor. Grr.</p>
<p>Ah well, not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Thanks again everyone!</p>