FilmStudiesGeek

Two months. TWO. MONTHS. Now that it's over, I can't believe I let it go on so long! I asked Prof. X in September for LORs, the first one due on Dec. 1. He immediately accepted, saying he'd be able to write me a very strong letter. That was really important to me because, even though my school isn't a top one, he's pretty prominent in the field I'm applying in, and I'd had him in two grad-level classes that went wonderfully. I was able to be polite but diligent about reminding him every few weeks, since I have a work-study job in the department. (I was also able to get my boss, the secretary, to keep an eye on his progress.) As the date got closer, he never gave a hint that he would be late, but the letter never appeared. A couple of days before it was due, I emailed the grad director at the school I applied to and she assured me that it was normal and that they would accept the letter when it arrived. She didn't give a time frame beyond which it would be absurd, and I trusted my prof to know the rules since he's been department head here and elsewhere forever and has been through this -- from both sides -- many times before. Finally, he did the letter this week but wasn't able to upload it to the online system. The secretary and I scrambled to find a solution, and finally managed to get it in. The online application system showed the submission, and I was so relieved to have it over with that it's taken a few days for me to realize -- wtf! It was a great letter (I ended up having to see it in the scramble to get it out) -- unequivocal and sincere and enthusiastic. But it turns out that at least some acceptances from the missed-deadline school went out a week ago, and I can only assume that I didn't make it. Now, this could well have had nothing to do with the late letter, but even if they didn't toss my application for being incomplete, the letter certainly would have helped! Luckily, he was only a week late getting it in at my other school, so that app is safe. (I made sure of that!) Sorry to go on for so long, but I really, really needed to vent. I feel so dumb! I made so many rookie mistakes this first round of applications, but that was the absolute worst. Sigh...at least the letter will be ready for next year if it comes to that. Anyone have a similar horror story? Or know of a letter that came in later?

"Who wants to learn about movies?!" -- my grandmother

"His writing sample is about Scientology? Yikes, he's either a cult member or he's going to get our asses sued." [sad Trombone]