doctormelody

This is a BIG mood haha!

No, you’re fine, I didn’t think the formatting was intentional! I was just laughing at myself for reading that sentence and totally not absorbing it, lol. Thank you so much, you’re so kind!

@bloome My acceptance to Case also said I had to decide by January 15, but online my acceptance said I had until April 15. I emailed them asking for clarification and they said that the deadline is April 15!  I would email just to be sure, but I was told that the 1/15 deadline was a mistake  ?

Nope! And many papers are group papers, which means you are only responsible for one or two sections of it. There is a LOT of writing, but it is not as intimidating as other programs. All the social work classes I've taken only required 2-3 papers and a group assignment. 

I literally have to hold my last LOR writer's hand for every deadline. I told them in September about the deadlines. I give them a two days heads up and sometimes even have to reminde them the day of the deadline. I have three more schools they need to write letters to. I already applied to all of my schools, and I am only waiting on them. I know letter writers are being nice offering to write recommendations on our behalf, but this sort of situation is still aggravating.

I finished the first draft of my MSW thesis in its entirety! 98 pages! I will send it to my supervisor in early January to get her comments before sending it to the external examinator.

I originally earned my post-bac with the intention of applying for my Master's right after, but, like you, was very turned off by the petty infighting and politics. After the program, I found myself simultaneously working a handful of jobs loosely related to the field, and an internship, which gave me the illusion of engagement with my industry. I tried for a while to secure an entry-level job at a museum or gallery but finally found myself working in an administrative role within an academic institution (admissions). Once again, the close proximity to academia gave me access to some academic resources and classes. I moved on into a development role at another academic institute where I am currently employed. 
I can tell you now that there is drama, elitism, and politics everywhere. Sometimes even the most charitable and equitable places are, in reality, quite toxic. I know from my friend's experience, industry can be more bearable but anything in the social sector will have its unnecessary challenges. 
I think you need to review the general ed classes you enjoyed and reflect on the actual content that intrigued you and try diving deep into one of those subjects. Obviously, general learning is incredibly exciting and stimulating but try focusing on one area for a few weeks and see if you can see yourself staying on that track. 
In regards to age, I never imagined myself pursuing my Master's so long after earning my undergraduate degree. However, I feel more equipped than ever to return to school for something that truly interests me. It sounds like you actually would benefit from more time off before diving back in. I just met up with a professor whose class I audited a few years ago, and she told me that she's still wrapping up her doctorate dissertation well into her fifties. So, don't put so much pressure on yourself. It would be better to wait ten years and return with a real sense of yourself and your interested than to pour in money to a program that already leaves you a bit bored. That is definitely not the way to start graduate school. 

Yeah, I really hope that doesn’t happen to you guys!

Me: *jots down ideas for hobbies to start in the new year/during grad school because I currently have none besides watching TV and wasting copious amounts of time on the Internet*

Unless it's like last year, in which case you may not hear back until late March. 

Whether we like it or not, our relationship with our letter-writers is one-sided: We are completely dependent on their generosity. I think the best option here is for you to find strategies to manage your own worries, as well as the logistics of your applications.
I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that this prof is writing the same letter for all of your programs and just changing out the program info for each one. If this is the case, can all of the letters just be submitted now rather than doing each program by their individual deadlines? Maybe you could have a conversation with the prof and say something like, "I've decided I'd like to have everything submitted by November 30th. Will that work for you?" Give yourself a little breathing room (don't put her deadline at the actual application deadline). Then you can leave her alone, assuming she'll submit by the deadline you give her, and just follow up after that date if there are any issues.

Just one missing (but he promised he would submit it today, so I'm trying to relax)...I totally share your sense of helplessness. I don't think I stressed too much my recommenders, but they are in such a bad period that every reminder I sent was probably the last drop. I can understand your problems with relying on others (me too!). Anyhow, good luck to everyone ❤️ this is the worst period because we just have to wait (again, powerless!), but Christmas time is such a panacea for me.  

A generally accepted practice is not always the same as a best practice.
My concern would be that members of an admission committee who were familiar with a LOR writer's boilerplate were doing a double take and asking each other "Did we read this letter last year? Or the year before?...Next!"
IMO, it's not just about professors being "busy people," it's about some professors being stuck in NGAF mode.

It's time to revive this thread, comrades

Sorry you got yeeted bro

Went to an info session where the admissions/financial aid director emphasized that if letters of recommendation were submitted even one day after the deadline, no scholarship money would be awarded. Panicked because I was still waiting on one LOR and my professor hadn't responded to my email or follow-up phone call, so ended up DRIVING TO NEW YORK from out-of-state to talk to her in person. The look on her face when she saw me in her office door was pretty priceless, as was my weak explanation that I just happened to be in the city visiting friends. Definitely an awkward moment but she was just busy and missed the email, and asked me to remind her again as many times as I needed to before the deadline.
Still waiting for now. 

Guys I got my acceptance letter from Pitt today! It was a very generic letter with no word on funding yet. 

Thank you!! I'm indescribably relieved.

Thank you!! I'm indescribably relieved.

Wow! Very good to know everything has been sorted out!! I'm happy for you and glad to hear that! It makes me nervous when the email / phone call/ msg just get lost like that! It is great you actually went there physically to give her a gentle nudge! Good for you!

Thank you! I actually managed to speak to my professor in-person and it seems my email just got lost in the shuffle. Idk how she missed the phone call, but I guess maybe she just doesn't check her messages that often? Idk. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. She apologized and didn't seem mad or anything, and told me to remind her as many times as necessary. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't DRIVEN TO NEW YORK, but all's well that ends well, I suppose? Is that premature? I don't care, actually, I'm still relishing in the thrill of accomplishing what I set out to do/not dying on the Pennsylvania turnpike.
I am actually just applying to Pitt this year - I applied to the other schools last year. Sorry for the confusion! As for your application, are you saying you have four recommendations total for Columbia? I would definitely go ahead and submit it either way, anything you can do to expedite the process at Columbia is a good idea. I don't know if their admissions process will be as much of a disaster this year as it was last year, but better safe than sorry.

@doctormelody Gosh, I am sorry that you still have not heard back.  IMO I think showing up without an appointment would be unprofessional, unless you had a casual relationship that involved unannounced drop-ins. Also, most professionals would typically respond to emails within 48hours. Your professor's conduct is highly unusual, especially because she is in session.  
I would suggest that you contact your plan B even though you have not been in touch for a while. Personally one of my references was my community college counselor and supervisor ( I was her office assistant for 2 semesters) . I had not spoken to her since July 2014 (4 years) . She was however very excited to  provide me with a letter of recommendation. Educators understand graduate school applications' bureaucracy.  As long as  you did well in his class, and had a cordial relationship, he will not overthink providing you reference. He probably has been there himself.
Alternatively, you could also leave a message with the front desk guy if that is an option. If you still do not hear from her in 48 hours you can make a decision on how to proceed.
All the best!
 

I don’t know the whole backstory, so my apologies if you’ve explained this. Have you been in contact with anybody who works with her? Someone like an assistant, grad student, or fellow faculty members. I wonder if she’s in sabbatical or not available because of illness. I hope not, but maybe finding out will make help ease your concern that she hasn’t done it yet because she’s unwilling. 

Ugh. I think it's time to ask someone else. It's not worth risking your entire application because of one person.

Hey! Just wanted to say that I totally get where you're coming from, waiting for letter of recommendations is the worst feeling! The way you describe her I don't believe your thesis adviser would be upset with you trying to get into contact, so definitely give them a call just to ask if she is doing okay and if she is available to speak.
If she has happened to drop the ball, I don't think it's too late at all to ask someone else if you have someone in mind. Most professors/supervisors understand that things happen and sometimes need a backup letter of recommendation. You still have a couple of weeks, and typically most professors don't ask for more than two weeks-a month depending how busy they are. As long as you explain the situation and apologize for not giving them more time, I'm pretty sure they would be happy to do it. Hopefully this helps, if you ever need to freak out feel free to PM me!

I agree with all of this. If you ask a new person for a recommendation, it's not like you have to call out your thesis adviser by name. I think it's enough to say you can't get into touch with one of the three recommenders you asked two months ago  and the deadline is fast approaching.