Any tips for extracting reference letters out of slow writers?

[Yetanotherdegree]

Sooo.... The absolute deadline for my completed application in March 1, close of office hours.

The majority of my references have very kindly completed and submitted the promised letters. One letter isn't done yet. While I hate to be a nuisance, I'm starting to think I might need to say something a little stronger than "so, letters must be received by March 1, which is one week away, hint, hint."

Does anyone have any tips for effective strategies? Obviously, I want to encourage them to write the letter without annoying them enough to affect the letter

Did you have any slow writers? If so,what did you do and how did it work out?

Thanks!

Oh, and I know this is a bit premature, but the writer in question isn't exactly known for his ability to meet deadlines well. I am absolutely certain the letter won't be there by Monday.

[bigsh]

Here's what I sent to one of my reccomenders (with edits to protect the innocent)

 

 

"Hi,

I haven't heard from you in a while and I hope you're doing well.  I am hoping to to have all the elements of my application submitted in October.  I am aiming for the Nov 1 application deadline.  I hope you will be able to submit the reccomendation letter prior to All Saint's Day.  If you have any questions or issues, or just want to say hi, please drop me a line.  I look forward to hearing from you and I hope your keeping well."

 

btw I sent this out about 6 weeks before the deadline so it doesn't hurt to harass you reccomenders a little.

[Seatbelt Blue]

I certainly had to harass mine. One of them dropped off the face of the earth entirely once my Fordham application was done, so I ended up having to scrounge for a new third letter in the closing weeks.

[Therewillbeluke]

Yeah, two of my recommenders were quite fond of submitting things the day they were do. I'd remind them the week before, then send them an email that day that it was due (if I couldn't catch them during office hours). I got them all it.

[crackthesky]

In my experience and in the experiences I've heard from friends, it is totally normal to have to "hound" certain professors a little bit for LORs. In fact, one of my best LOR writers submitted my LOR a week after the application deadline. (Fear not, I was still accepted at one of my two top choice schools and wait listed at the other which was a serious reach school for me, anyway!)

 

I know that seems crazy, but most schools are really sympathetic to the fact that LOR writers are typically very busy professors and so if things don't make it in on time, don't panic. Most schools even have clauses on their websites noting that they wait a few weeks after applications are due for any straggling LORs, transcrips, and GRE scores that might be slower to reach them before reviewing applications.

 

Most of the time, these professors are just super busy and forget the deadline, or other important deadlines come up. For me, it has always seemed like professors appreciate the kind nudge to get things done simply because it isn't their top priority and might not be the most immediate issue they have to attend to.

 

Assuming that you have wisely chosen your LOR writers and that they are professors who can speak to your capacities as a student and that want to see you succeed, I think even a simple reminder that the deadline is a week away and an offer to meet for coffee to catch up and talk about applications and future goals might be effective (assuming you are still at the same institution or live locally).

 

Just keep on top of your LOR writers and if one comes in a little late, take a deep breath and remember that it isn't the end of the world...which is way easier said than done.

[unacclimated]

I think if there is a writer that is taking a fair amount of time include extra information that may assist them in writing the letter. Like your personal statement plus a writing sample you did for their course and a resume to give them a time line of your activities. It gives them a starting point and a reference point from which to write the letter should their memory be insufficient. Sending the additional information is an excuse to remind them of the deadlines, also. I had a bit of an ordeal with getting mine in but thankfully they are all in now