<p>If you've asked a teacher to write a rec for college or something and he/she has not completed it, what would you do if the deadline for the recommendation submission was approaching? Would you politely email them informing them of the deadline (that you have already told them) or would you personally call them or approach them in-person?</p>
<p>I'd understand that they might be busy and whatnot but how would you ensure that they leave enough time to complete your rec.? Thanks</p>
<p>I would approach them in person and kindly remind them of the approaching deadline.
Sometimes emails, especially with teachers who are already extremely busy, can get lost in the shuffle.</p>
<p>yeah, some teachers are really bad with doing stuff last minute. Just politely remind them if you walk by their room during passing periods. Plus, a lot of colleges are really lax about deadlines, especially the ones for recommendation. Even the top schools (Harvard, Stanford, etc.) let you turn them in like a month later but I wouldn't risk it that much if I were you ;) Not sure how that plays to your overall image on your application. Remember to also write them a thank you card after you get your letter :)</p>
<p>I'd remind them about it.</p>
<p>Remind them.</p>
<p>I got my teachers to finish my letters of rec a month or so early (if not earlier, I know one teacher who finished it about two weeks after my request) by being polite and nudging correctly. For example, when I wanted to remind my teachers of the approaching deadline, I made "thank you" cards thanking them for agreeing to write my letters of recs.</p>
<p>Also, I would approach the teachers sometimes asking them if they needed anything else from me to help them write my letters of rec. Even before that, I made sure to provide labelled addresses, stamps, and gave teachers a resume/information so they had something to work with.</p>
<p>um...i would politely ask them in person, remind them of, let's say, 5 days cushion room...</p>
<p>...then again, i try to tell my recommenders MONTHS in advance</p>
<p>just bug him about it casually...like SO MR. LASTMINUTE, HOW'S MY RECOMMENDATION COMING ALONG? DO YOU NEED ANY HELP? IS THERE ANYWAY I CAN ASSIST YOU something like that</p>
<p>If you don't have to give them a form with the date to reply you can also lie to them about it. Set your own deadlines. I already have a few teachers in mind for letters, so I plan on asking them pretty early (2-3 weeks after school starts) and a month should be plenty of time.</p>
<p>I've been in a situation where the deadline for an app actually passed and I still didn't have my letter. At that point, you can begin to bug them. Otherwise, a polite email or little sidechat should be in order.</p>
<p>catsushi: I never thought of sending out thank you cards for recommendations. That's a great idea! I'll probably do that this year.</p>
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For example, when I wanted to remind my teachers of the approaching deadline, I made "thank you" cards thanking them for agreeing to write my letters of recs.
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<p>that's what i did too. it reminds them AND it makes them feel guilty if they haven't done it yet LOL</p>
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For example, when I wanted to remind my teachers of the approaching deadline, I made "thank you" cards thanking them for agreeing to write my letters of recs.
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<p>LMAO! That's so genius.</p>
<p>Yeah, definitely remind them. catsushi's thank you cards are a good idea, or another is just to ask if they need any other information about you or materials regarding the recommendations</p>