Telling professors writing rec letters not applying for grad school anymore

[MyUsername123]

Hi,

 

This isn't for me but for my relative currently under care experiencing illness. Apparently he emailed his professors for recs two weeks ago and now due to sudden illness no longer feels he can apply for grad school right now and is re-evaluating everything at the moment - including career paths. We're trying to figure out a way to email his professors and let him know he will no longer be applying but to keep the recs on file - how does one go on doing this without looking completely unprofessional? Some of the professors knew him well, but a few did not. Has anybody had experience with this? 

 

Given the nature of his illness (he had a breakdown - long story), he feels uncomfortable revealing why exactly he is not applying at the moment so we can't really email telling them about that.

 

Any advice or recs on how to go on about doing this would be appreciated. Thank you so much.

Edited November 19, 2013 by MyUsername123

[Loric]

"The good news is that you don't have to worry about meeting any deadlines for that letter of rec you were writing.. the bad news is that I have decided I'm not going to be applying for this upcoming admissions cycle. I apologize for the short notice (even if it's not, apologize anyways) but my personal situation isn't allowing for the pursuit of academia at the moment. I suspect I may want to return as soon as it's possible again though, so if you've written the letter already I would like to ask that you keep it on file for that future endeavor. If not, I still appreciate everything you've done for me so far to help advance my career. 

 

If something comes up and things change again, I'll be sure to let you know. Just know that this was a difficult decision but it is for the best right now. Again, I really appreciate all of your support and understanding. 

 

Sincerely, XYZ"