<p>Back in September I asked 2 teachers for letters of recommendation. I told them both that I was applying Early Action and needed them before November 1st, which they were both fine with. It's now a little over 2 weeks until November 1st, and on Common App it says that both have not started their recommendations. I know they are both very busy people, but I want to make sure they haven't forgotten about my letters.
I also have another teacher and a dance teacher writing letters, and they have not yet started either. However, I had asked them earlier this month.</p>
<p>Would it be rude to remind my recommenders about the deadline? If not, how should I approach them? I see them every day, so it would be easy to catch them before or after school or class to talk, but I don't want to come off as rude or impatient.</p>
<p>I think it is okay to ask, but know that college are used to letters coming in a bit late (a week or so of lag on the letters after your app due date won’t hurt – just be sure YOU get your piece submitted and fee paid on time). Occasionally there is a letter upload snafu (happened with one of my kids) – looked to the GC’s office like the letters had uploaded, but it didn’t look like it from her Common App logon. Turns out there WAS a problem, so glad she asked.</p>
<p>You could stop by after class and just check in, saying the deadline is about 2 weeks away now and you didn’t see on the Common App that they are uploaded yet. Or you could send a polite email. </p>
<p>Absolutely - send them an email or stop by the classroom - you can make it casual “I am applying ED to XXX and the deadline is November 1st. I don’t know if you have already written my recommendation; if not, if you need anything from me, don’t hesitate to ask.” But also know that the colleges know that teacher recs often come in after the deadline, they aren’t going to reject your app because the teacher rec isn’t there on the app deadline</p>
<p>Just say “hey, there’s 2 weeks left on the letter of rec, I just wanted to make sure you have enough time to write it”.</p>
<p>Just send them a thank you note that it can be served as a reminder as well.</p>
<p>I agree that the best reminders will be the ones that don’t nag. Virtually anything you say that contains the word “recommendation” will do the job.</p>
<p>You could always go the route of “Hey, I just wanted to check in and see if you need any more information from me for my recommendation (due November 1).”</p>