Starting to panic...?

[MyWorkIsDone]

Hello everyone! I'm applying for fall 2014, and I am having recommendation drama. I have this one professor who I was 100% positive was going to write me a great letter. I've been in his class as a student, and also spent the past year as his TA. He previously wrote me a mini-recommendation when I was applying for a visa, and it was glowing. I contacted him over a week and a half ago and was super polite. After a week, I sent a follow-up email attaching some additional information and asking again if he would be willing to write the letter. That follow-up was four days ago and I've heard nothing.

The problem is that I'm doing the semester abroad right now, so I can't exactly pop by his office and I have to rely on email. What should I do if I don't hear back? I'm really concerned because I thought I had a great working relationship with this prof, and he teaches in the field I'm applying for. Am I panicking to soon?

[fuzzylogician]

I wouldn't suggest panicking at all. First of all, try following up again in a few days and give it another week or so. If you don't hear back, could you find out from your friends if the professor is around and teaching this semester? Maybe the delay in response has nothing to do with you, but stems from a personal problem. Another approach is to contact the department secretary and say you've been unsuccessfully trying to reach this professor, and could they help. If you don't manage to establish contact, it'll be a great shame but hopefully then you could get someone else to write a letter for you. I'd start thinking about that in about a week, so you at least know you're covered and maybe you'll even end up with four letters if this professor replies late. Good luck!