Nervous as hell to ask for LoRs!!!

[PhdApplicant311]

I recently got a Masters after close-to a decade and hustled a lot to get good LoRs from undergrad. Went back to my old school, assisted the professors there with some extra classes, sucked-up to really annoying employers etc. But the result was worth it as I got into a top university in the UK. This time around. I intend to apply for a PhD to schools in the U.S. and once again, I have spent the whole of this year building relationships with potential letter writers but I am really nervous to ask. One of them is a renowned professor from an Ivy League whom I assisted on a very prestigious project he was working on pro-bono and needed someone to just do the work for him. He made it clear to me a dozen times that he has "15 jobs" and little time while I was working with him... which makes me very nervous to ask, although I really slogged it out, and went all out for him for very little money. Similarly, I approached my department head from the UK and worked innumerable hours for her on a project very close to her heart. Both of them were incredibly thankful in their emails (we all work in different countries) but I haven't been able to bring myself to write those letters. I am not sure what has changed since pre-masters and now! How do I find the courage to write those emails? I am not sure if this post appears frivolous but I am really  nervous as I feel a lot more is at stake this time. A letter from the Ivy league professor and my former department head - renowned in the field - could be game-changers and I am worried it won't work out.

[sjoh197]

I just had to re-ask my advisor for a letter, because I didn't get in last year, and I am reapplying this year.... talk about embarrassing. 

I think you are just nervous about the outcome of your application. Do you have back-ups that might not be as prestigious, but could still write you a decent letter? If so, just bite the bullet and ask. Make sure to have a nice tailored email, saying that you understand how busy they are, but that you respect their position in the field, and how much a letter from them would mean to you. 

 

Also, a letter from a prestigious, renowned in the field writer that was written in haste because they don't have any time to write one for you is not necessarily the better option.

[PhdApplicant311]

For anybody who stumbles upon this post - I found the courage to ask for the letter and the super busy Ivy league professor was more than delighted to write me a letter. this is a big step forward for me and could really help my application - we will see how it all turns out! 

[Komugi]

Best of luck PhdApplicant311! You seem to be a very hard worker. I think the way out of such dilemmas is to allow professors enough time to write the letters; Letting them know 3 Months before submitting your application is good enough time.

Edited December 16, 2015 by AhmedMA