Urgent Help needed!

[GraceEun]

Hi guys, 

 

So the deadline for one of my programs is tomorrow, so yesterday I sent a polite reminder email to the recommender. She sent me an email this morning saying it was completed and that she would finish 2 more requests I had previously sent in. 

 

However, she then asks if I could ask someone else because she is so busy with the holidays. I only have 2 weeks until the remainder of my letters are due and can't think of anyone I would feel comfortable asking a letter from. What do I do? 

 

Also, she asked why I was applying to so many schools. I'm only applying to 8 (which seems to be a reasonable number). How should I respond to this?

 

THANKS SO MUCH! I'm having a little freak out right now lol. 

[Canis]

Any luck with this yet?

 

Sounds like your letter writer isn't especially enthusiastic. That's a good sign that you should find someone else. People do write negative references (I've seen it from inside!) so you don't want that.

 

A good approach to this is to reach out to your department advisor, ask them if they would be willing to fill in because your letter writer cancelled at the last minute - it's ok to use some pity here, you've earned it!

 

Alternatively, any professor whose course you had an A in, and who you had good conversations with. Again, it's ok to reach out and say it's a bit of a last minute emergency, ask them for help, and of course be deferential noting that you understand if they can't help with such a last minute request.