More LOR misery

[cquin]

It is now December 27th and my professor still hasn't submitted his letter of recommendation. At this point, I'm going to assume he won't write one at all, so I'm frantically contacting two other professors who could possibly write for me. I'm wondering how I should explain this situation to my schools, and whether it will reflect poorly on me. I feel that I have a strong application otherwise, and I'm positive that my two other LORs speak highly of me, but I am petrified that this issue with my third letter will result in my immediate rejection from all programs. Does anyone have any experience whatsoever with this sort of situation? Any words of advice or reassurance? I've been moping around my house for the past few days, trying to get into the holiday cheer while contemplating what seems like my inevitable doom.

[litjust]

When is the deadline? When is the LOR deadline? Have you heard anything from this professor regarding the letter(s)? If you're able to get another person to write for you, I think that will be fine and you shouldn't have to explain anything to the schools. Don't mope; everything will work out.

Edited December 27, 2011 by litjust

[cquin]

The deadlines for most of my schools have passed already--I contacted their individual admissions departments and explained that one letter from [my professor's name] would be late (I didn't specify *how* late) and they said it wouldn't be a problem. I have five MA programs with upcoming deadlines, so I'm praying that I'll have this sorted out by then...

Last I heard from my professor was about six days ago, when I sent him a reminder email with my list of schools. He basically just apologized for not keeping in touch with me and said things have been crazy on his end.

Edited December 27, 2011 by cquin

[litjust]

I'm PMing you.

[lolopixie]

This is completely unacceptable and unprofessional. Do not agree to do something if you are not going to follow through. It isn't like your future plans are hanging on this person submitting a letter that he agreed to write months ago or anything. I'm sorry that you are going through this, cquin. I would definitely send the email to the other professors, explain to them what happened, and pray for the best. The good thing is you contacted the schools. I hope it all works out.

[Mal83]

One of my recommenders was a little elusive too, he submitted the LOR 7 hours before the deadline...to say I was panicking and moping around is an understatement, especially since my options were limited as I had been out of undergrad for a little while. After sending a frantic email to him the day of the deadline he finally got back to me and said not to worry, he'll get it in and that he has been doing a ton of LORs and barely making the deadlines...but making them nonetheless. But to not take 10 seconds to send you an update or a response is really ridiculous, especially once the deadline passes, it's inexcusable. Professors should know better than anyone else what these letters mean to students, as they were all in that position at least once in their lives. Have you emailed him since the deadline passed? Maybe now that the big Christmas weekend is out of the way he'll be more in touch. I mean if he comes back with a "don't worry, I'll get it in" then you don't have worry about it, but if not I would get some emails out to those other profs right away...you have nothing to lose by doing that, if he comes through then they won't have to do it. But having a backup will make things seem much less awful.

[indalomena]

AARGH. I feel your pain. I was in this exact situation a week ago -- a professor had missed four of my deadlines and was being very elusive! Then suddenly he uploaded them all. Christmas miracle! I don't know if this is going to be a problem with my application, but the day after the Northwestern deadline I got an email from the (extremely helpful and very friendly) graduate administrator explaining that they were missing a LOR but would assess my application regardless and add the letter to my file when it arrived. Heard nothing from the others but assumed it would be OK based on Northwestern -- it wasn't like there was anything I could do at that point anyway!

Really hope it all works out for you. If Northwestern is anything to go by, a slightly late letter shouldn't matter (and Princeton, it seems, actually gives an extra two weeks on top of their deadline for that part of the application.) Totally feel your pain, I have absolutely been there, but I'm sure it happens to a lot of applications and doesn't hurt them. Fingers crossed.

[emmm]

It happens all the time. It happened to me -- I was in contact with the program, and they were willing to wait for the letter. I finally got in touch with the prof, and the letter was sent. I knew the letter was ready, as it had been sent to other programs, this one had just been forgotten. I think as long as it is sent before the committee meets, you should be OK.

[cquin]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Still no update from my current or undergrad professors, but I'm guessing that's because they're still wrapped up in the craziness of the holiday season.

I think as long as it is sent before the committee meets, you should be OK.

emmm, that's what I've been trying to tell myself to calm my nerves, but I have no idea when grad committees meet! Is it immediately after winter break? The first week of the semester? The second? Or is it like a month in? I think if I had some kind of a general time frame, I'd feel better.

[lolopixie]

I feel it is time that you send the message that was recommended in a previous thread about this: "Do you want there to be another death in the family?" It has now become appropriate.

[litjust]

From what I've heard, adcomms start meeting in January, depending on when they return after winter break. Some schools don't return until after the MLK holiday, so that provides more time.

[emmm]

I think you could call your programs to find when they absolutely must have your letters. When I was waiting for my last letter, I was in contact with the program, updating them on the status. They let me know that it was OK to get it to them a little late. Fortunately, I did not have to find out when the latest date to get it in by was.

[Origin=Goal]

If this continues to into January I would not hesitate to write to their department chair (which hopefully he or she is not), explain the situation in diplomatic but firm terms, and request their immediate help in rectifying this situation. I was in the same exact spot and although it was difficult to do, things worked out in the end and I don't regret anything.

As applicants they put us in such vulnerable, contingent positions that we feel powerless in situations like this, but I assure you that other people DO understand that predicaments like this happen. The commitment to write a LOR for a student is purportedly a serious, binding agreement, and most professors are fully aware of this. Good luck and, most importantly, try not to panic. It will most likely be resolved and chalked up to a misunderstanding.

[Jbarks]

I completely understand, as well. I'm waiting on one of my professors to upload letters...luckily my first deadlines are January 1st. However, I emailed the professor early last week to make sure s/he received the notification emails. No response. I have a back up professor whom I know wrote me a phenomenal recommendation; however, s/he is not of the caliber as the other professor. I mailed the back up recommendations today (just in case), and I plan to contact programs to explain the possibly terrible situation. I will also email my professor today. I know I have a few days, but like everyone else, a quick reply would be nice. Even if the professor can no longer do the recommendations (for whatever inconsiderate reason), I would be more okay with it if I were notified. Alas, I just need one acceptance. Good luck to everyone else, too!!!!

[lolopixie]

Alas, I just need one acceptance.

I only need one as well lol! I'm hoping that the first school I hear back from is an acceptance!! I'm thinking about finding a bunch of four leaf clovers, bunny feet, number 7's, etc., and decorating my apartment in them for the next few months. Is that going over the top?

[Jbarks]

I only need one as well lol! I'm hoping that the first school I hear back from is an acceptance!! I'm thinking about finding a bunch of four leaf clovers, bunny feet, number 7's, etc., and decorating my apartment in them for the next few months. Is that going over the top?

Ha! No, I think you should do anything and everything. I'm actually ashamed to admit this because I'm typically a practical and logical person, but for the past several months, whenever I see that the clock reads "11:11," I repeat a mantra: Please let me get accepted into an English PhD program with funding." I repeat it over and over again in my head until 11:12.

Yes, I know... feel free to cackle.

[bdon19]

for the past several months, whenever I see that the clock reads "11:11," I repeat a mantra: Please let me get accepted into an English PhD program with funding." I repeat it over and over again in my head until 11:12.

I do this every single day, with no shame. Carry on.

[marlowe]

Ha! No, I think you should do anything and everything. I'm actually ashamed to admit this because I'm typically a practical and logical person, but for the past several months, whenever I see that the clock reads "11:11," I repeat a mantra: Please let me get accepted into an English PhD program with funding." I repeat it over and over again in my head until 11:12.

Yes, I know... feel free to cackle.

I do this every single day, with no shame. Carry on.

I have done far worse. Never fear, your OCD is tame.

[woolferine]

I only need one as well lol! I'm hoping that the first school I hear back from is an acceptance!! I'm thinking about finding a bunch of four leaf clovers, bunny feet, number 7's, etc., and decorating my apartment in them for the next few months. Is that going over the top?

Right before I read this post, a pigeon did its business on my head and my first reaction was, "OMG maybe this is a sign that I'll get in somewhere!" Then I proceeded to freak out and sanitize myself. Anyway, glad to know there are many of us holding onto whatever superstitious behavior/narrative we need to get through!

[lolopixie]

I think we all do this stuff in some way, shape, or form.

[rawera]

I do the mantra thing from 11:12 all the way back around to 11:10. Amateurs.

[cquin]

All this talk of luck seems to have worked in my favor--one of my undergrad professors has agreed to write for me! Hooray! Now it's just a matter of contacting all of my schools and explaining the situation.

[wintergirl]

Good luck, cquin!! Glad it sounds like it's finally working out. : ) Fingers crossed. (joining in the superstitious/OCD confessions thread)

[Venti White Choc. Mocha]

Well scratch UIC, because the letters had to be in the packet. Thanks profs 1 and 3, I didn't really want to go to a great Romantics program anyway. I had forgotten that the LOCs are the worst part of the application process.

[indalomena]

*sob*

one of my LOR writers couldn't upload his recommendation for Yale -- technical issue. It'll miss the deadline now, though I've already submitted my application. Yale is my top choice. Long shot anyway but with no letter ... my chances are even slimmer.

maybe they'll be nice like Northwestern and forgive a late rec. Fingers crossed.