nyshopgirl14

31, currently. Would be 32 if I start in Fall of 2016. Possibly 33 if I don't get in and reapply next year for Fall of 2017. It's been six years since I graduated from my MA program, 9 years since I graduated from undergrad.

Thanks for the update and I totally understand! I actually have two professional references and one academic and the academic one has been the biggest pain to get any communication on. When I initially asked, my professor didn't respond to my email, but then responded to me wishing her Happy Bday on Facebook. (Technology makes life weird.) So she said she would write the letter but when I sent her all my info (statement of purpose, resume) she hasn't responded. I realize I have almost two months until the first deadline (Dec.1) but I'm also worried she'll flake out last minute and then I'll only have two letters. It's a common worry, I think, and yes, definitely the most frustrating part of applying. But I also understand that professors probably get asked for a TON of letters and that's in addition to grading, teaching, their own research.

I don't really have any advice when it comes to this, except to echo what rising_star said, but I did want to sympathize. My first deadline is Dec. 1 and it's my top choice, so I'm really anxious about my academic LOR from a former professor. She also wrote a rec for me for my master's degree, but she was late turning it in, and her communication this time around hasn't been stellar, so I'm a bit nervous about this first deadline. But I'm realizing you can only do what you can and let the process take its course. Worse case scenario, the admissions committee won't see your recommender's flakiness as a flaw on your part.