When and how to ask for an extension on an end of semester final paper/project

[maelia8]

I'm nearing the end of my first semester as a graduate student. Classes end this Friday, next week is dead week, and the following is exam week. I am in one of the very few classes in my department in which the final project/paper (in this case, an annotated bibliography) is due this Friday rather than the following one, and I'm really feeling the crunch. I will be on campus for two weeks after the planned due date for this paper anyway as I have a language final exam at the end of exam week (an exam I'm not worried about and that will have minimal effect on my grade).

 

In this situation, would it be appropriate to ask the professor of my grad course in which the bibliography is the final project for an extension, at least over the weekend to the 8th rather than the 5th of December (or possibly longer)? It's common for grad students in my department writing a paper to take an incomplete, finish the paper over break, and then get a grade for the course the following semester, but I only need 5 days max (long before the end of the semester when grades have to be posted) to make this a much, much better project than it will be if I have to rush through it by Friday. 

 

What is the etiquette of asking for a possible extension (at least 3 days in advance of the due date) from a grad professor? Is it rude/should I email or do it in person/what argument should I use? Thanks for any advice

[ProfLorax]

In my program, this is totally acceptable. I have asked for an extension once, and I did so over email. I keep the email short and sweet and include a specific deadline. I keep the tone gracious and make it clear that I don't expect a deadline but would really appreciate it. 

 

Here is part of the email I sent. The first half was mostly me notifying the professor that I was pregnant and having a crappy first trimester, but I think the final ask could be applicable to other situations as well.

 

I plan on having my final paper completed by May 13, but I was curious if I could have an extended deadline in case I am not able to finish in time. If possible, could I turn in a hard copy to your office by May 16? Those extra few days would be such a help. Please let me know what you think.

[rising_star]

Ask for an extension. That might tell you know but they might not.. I would ask in person if possible.

[juilletmercredi]

I have asked for, and been granted, an extension at least once that I can remember in graduate school.  It was also a weekend extension - I think I asked to turn in on Tuesday a paper that was due Friday.  I just sent a short email to the professor asking, without giving a reason or anything.  I think I might've said that the paper would be much higher quality if I could have the extra 3 days.  I got back a really short email that was in the vein of "sure, whatever."

 

So just ask.  The worst they can tell you is no, and you'll be right back where you are now.

[wildviolet]

In my program, it's perfectly okay to ask for an extension, whether it's a few hours or a few days. Most of my professors give "soft" deadlines for when they would prefer you to get your paper in and "hard" deadlines for when they absolutely must get them in order to turn in a grade for the semester. I've been granted extensions several times. The only courses that had super strict deadlines were the introductory courses because they wanted to prep us for grad school. But then every class after that has been reasonably flexible.

[maelia8]

Thanks for the tips folks! I ended up finishing in time and being happy with the product, so I didn't need to ask for an extension, but I'll keep this advice in mind for the future.