ONE last LOR prof, and he's disappeared on me!

[Meghanlodon]

This professor has agreed to write me a letter, but I cannot seem to track him down! After not getting an email response from him (I wanted to meet at his office with a copy of my statement and a list of institutions), I dropped by his office yesterday. Turns out he is on sabbatical this semester, and had not mentioned that he would be doing so at any point during my class with him or even in the facebook group he maintains. He did not leave a number to contact him at, but apparently checks his on-campus mailbox 'periodically'. I left a copy of my statement and a list of the institutions I am applying to (along with their letter of recommendation requirements, ie what they want content-wise) and sent him another email with those attached as well.

Am I completely goofed up here? I'm leaving the state to move back in with my parents (temporarily, I hope) because my roommate (my grandmother) is soon moving to a place where I can't get public transportation, which prevents me from getting to work. I was hoping to meet with this letter writer face to face about this, but will the institutions I am applying to reach out to him somehow during the process? How does it work on their end?

 

My first app due date is March 1st, and I'm taking the GRE early next month, so there's still a little time, but ugh this is frustrating.

[horrificmodernist]

This definitely sounds frustrating, but I'm not sure if it's something you need to be really nervous about just yet. He still has plenty of time to get check his mailbox/email and write you a letter - still a month and a half away! If it were me, I think I'd wait to check in until the end of January/beginning of February. My third letter writer that I was SUPER concerned about basically ignored my email giving her all the info (CV, SOP, etc) AND my reminder email, then sent me an email 5 hours before the deadline saying that she had submitted everything. We had a pretty good relationship, so I've just come to the conclusion that she's just lousy at answering emails haha.

If you still haven't heard after that check in, maybe call the department and see if they have any information?

Good luck! 

[rising_star]

Honestly, for a letter due March 1, I wouldn't even start worrying until after President's Day (so after Feb 15). 

[Meghanlodon]

Thanks for the replies folks! I'm glad it's not time to panic...yet. Now I just need to do well on the GRE.