Recommendation seems to have fallen through... too late to ask someone else

[fencergirl]

I am applying for a fellowship. I asked one professor to write me a recc and they agreed and have already written it. I asked another professor who wrote my grad school reccs but they have been pretty unresponsive by email and have not given an answer yes or no. (Normally I would have assumed that I should take that as a soft no but this professor is pretty absent-minded). I waited too long to hear back from letter-writer 2 and unfortunately now it's too late to ask someone else as the deadline is in a few days. I cannot even submit the application without 2 letter writers on the form and I don't know what to do - I'm afraid the first writer will be upset if I don't go through with the application after they have already written the letter but at this point I have no second letter in hand. What to do? Keep nagging letter writer 2? Admit to letter writer 1 that I can't complete the application?

[fuzzylogician]

Any chance you had 3 LOR writers for at least some of your grad school applications? You've already put in the work (as has your other recommender), and it'd be a shame to just let this fellowship go without trying. At this point, I think you need to do the following:

1. Do everything you can to get in touch with letter-writer 2; This might include emailing again, calling, stopping by their office, AND enlisting other people's help. You might need to talk to your other recommender, in case they know letter-writer 2. Maybe an email from them will get a more prompt response (and actually generally, if you trust them and have a good relationship with them, you might want to get their advice about what to do at this point). Or maybe you need to write the secretary or chair or someone else higher up the food chain. Your goal is not to blame anyone of anything but simply to say "I emailed prof X a while back, tried to follow up, and never received a response; I have an important deadline coming up and could really use some help contacting the prof because my application depends on it." Some absent-minded professors become much more responsive when someone else is watching. 

2. Ask someone else. Regardless of what happens with letter-writer 2, you can't wait any longer. Find someone who can write a decent letter (maybe your third LOR writer?), apologize profusely for the short notice, briefly explain why you're only reaching out so late, and ask for a letter. Be very thankful. They might say no, but they might take pity. As long as you're polite and apologetic, I think you have nothing to lose. 

[fencergirl]

Thank you for your advice, I'll keep trying to get in touch with letter writer 2. There is only room for 2 letter writers on the application form and because of the way it is set up, I have to submit it before the letter writers get the link to upload their letters. So I need to decide who to put my hopes into I guess...

[fuzzylogician]

9 hours ago, fencergirl said:

Thank you for your advice, I'll keep trying to get in touch with letter writer 2. There is only room for 2 letter writers on the application form and because of the way it is set up, I have to submit it before the letter writers get the link to upload their letters. So I need to decide who to put my hopes into I guess...

This is why I say you also need to ask another person to be your backup, and the sooner the better. Explain the situation to them. Then all you can do is wait until you feel like you can't wait any longer, and submit with your backup, if letter-writer 2 doesn't reply. Also let letter-writer 1 know you're doing this, so they know they won't have too long to submit the letter on their end (ask them both what timeframe they would be comfortable with). And, of course, whatever happens, find a way to show your backup your gratitude, regardless of whether they actually submit a letter for you or not.

[rising_star]

Definitely ask another person to be your backup. I was in your situation years ago and didn't do that but should have. 

[fencergirl]

Thank you both! The original letter writer 2 came through. Whew. *wipes sweat*