Bad email response from a prof...

[aiaiaice]

I graduated in 2016 with an econ degree and now I'm trying to apply for sociology PhD. I never took a sociology class since I had no idea I was interested in sociology until after college. I have good GRE/GPA and decent work experience, but the biggest problem is that I didn't try to build relationships with professors at all during college thinking that I'd never go to grad school... and fast forward 3 years, now that's the only thing I want in life. Smh. 

I'm visiting my alma mater for 2 days next week and I was planning to talk to a couple professors who might at least remember me and ask for recs. I sent an email to two professors, telling them about my current job and my decision to pursue grad school, and saying that I want to stop by and talk to them and hear some advice (didn't even mention that I want recs, although they might have inferred). One of them was my reference for my current job so I'm not too worried, but the other one replied with a very curt response: "Dear ___, thank you for your email. A note just to let you know that unfortunately with time constraints that won't work out."

She was never a warm or talkative person, but I'm a little shocked tbh since she once told me to let her know if I need a recommendation letter when I ran into her on campus back in college. Maybe I disappointed her by ignoring that and not ever contacting her...? That response probably means that she doesn't want to write an LOR for me, or that even if she does it will be negative, right?

I'm panicking bc one other prof who could maybe write a letter for me went MIA after not getting the tenure and everyone says she just got pissed and decided to fuck it all..

 

Should I just be brazen and reply with a request for a rec?

Or Should I try my French professor that I took 3 classes and wrote papers with, even though it's not related to sociology?

Or should I just get 2 recs from my job? (I'm a research assistant, i.e. Excel slave, at an international organization)

I feel lost...

[Multicolormagic]

I don't think her being unable to meet with you necessarily means she wouldn't be willing to write a rec for you. Personally, I had a professor who was unable to meet with me when I visited campus who was still happy to write me a recommendation; in your prof's case, it really may just be a scheduling issue for her. The only way you can know for sure is to ask!

How many recommendation letters do you need? If you need three, and it winds up that this professor is unable to help you, here's what I would say: have one from the other sociology professor; one from your job (two recs from the same place seems like they'd just be saying the same thing, unless you have two supervisors who know you in very different capacities there); and one from your French professor. A rec from a professor who knows you well and has a good sense of your academic work sounds like it would be a complementary part of your portfolio, even if s/he isn't a sociology professor. (But to be fair, I'm a literature person, I can't speak to social studies for sure.) Good luck! 

[Warelin]

On 9/10/2019 at 8:17 PM, Wonderland93 said:

Should I just be brazen and reply with a request for a rec?

Were you able to provide your professor with different times throughout the two days? It might be possible that the time(s) you proposed were filled with other obligations.

Asking for advice on applications is very different from seeking someone to write a recommendation letter. May I suggest that you ask if they'd be able to provide a "strong" letter of recommendation? If they're unable to do so, it'll give them the freedom to say that they believe others will be able to provide a stronger letter on your behalf.

 

On 9/10/2019 at 8:17 PM, Wonderland93 said:

Or Should I try my French professor that I took 3 classes and wrote papers with, even though it's not related to sociology?

Departments generally prefer that you obtain letters from people who have gone through a similar program in the past. Would it be possible to obtain a letter from a former economics professor since they'd be able to speak more about your more advanced courses?

 

On 9/10/2019 at 8:17 PM, Wonderland93 said:

Or should I just get 2 recs from my job? (I'm a research assistant, i.e. Excel slave, at an international organization)

There are two questions here: Do either of these individuals have advanced degrees? Does what you do relate to Sociology or do you use skills that Sociology would benefit from? Some schools have it listed on their website that they only accept letters from professors. Some might prefer letters from Professors. Some might have no preference.