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[NervousNellie]

I have two applications that won't be reviewed *at all* before all items are in, including that letter. I am only waiting on that letter.

The first deadline was January 11th. According to the electronic system, she began the letter on that day. That very evening, they announced they were extending the deadline until February 1st. The next morning I saw the letter wasn't done, so I emailed her a friendly email saying basically "you must have seen the announcement...I needed more time too." She wrote a friendly email back and said basically "looks like we were both saved...I just needed a little more time."

As the next deadline approached (Jan. 15th), I saw the first letter still wasn't done, but I figured no biggie since the deadline was extended. I just emailed a friendly email double-checking that she would be able to meet the Jan. 15th deadline for the other school. She wrote back that it would get done.

On January 16th when I found out it hadn't been done, I figured it would be done within a few days. But just to be sure I hadn't slipped off her radar, I wrote her an email letting her know it was still listed as incomplete, and asking if she needed anything from me to get it done. She wrote back that she thought it was done. That's the last I have heard from her.

I've written her emails, and she hasn't responded. I wrote her one more panicked email a couple days ago, but I still tried to show how grateful I am and keep it friendly. I followed it up this morning with a copy of the application I just sent to the school with the extended deadline, and the essay I wrote for the Jan. 15th deadline school.

As I said in one of my emails, I feel badly pestering her, but her letter is a really important part of my application.

This is the thing. I am applying at schools that require two academic references, and she is my ONLY. My undergraduate department had 100% turnover since the time I left, and she was the only professor I was able to find. If she doesn't send her letter, I have a backup, but it isn't an academic reference. There is a lot riding on this letter.

And when should I call it quits and use my backup, knowing that my backup while a positive letter will really be less than ideal in terms of completing my packet? How long can I realistically wait, knowing that decisions will be posted March 15th at these schools?

[joro]

I would call her if possible and ask for a possible deadline. For me, I had an itching feeling that this guy would screw me over a 2nd time after he seemed so sincere before about getting it in on time. So I went seeking a backup and poof I have complete applications (except I found out that one school had problems opening one of the letters and another school has not received my GRE scores!!!).

[NervousNellie]

I would call her if possible and ask for a possible deadline. For me, I had an itching feeling that this guy would screw me over a 2nd time after he seemed so sincere before about getting it in on time. So I went seeking a backup and poof I have complete applications (except I found out that one school had problems opening one of the letters and another school has not received my GRE scores!!!).

I tracked down her phone number at the school where she now teaches, and called today. The outgoing message was from the summer (!), but I left a message anyway. I think if I don't hear anything by Monday, I may have to move to plan B (??).

[fuzzylogician]

ASAP

[NervousNellie]

ASAP

Thanks for this. I am so depressed today, the day of another deadline, that I need all the laughs I can get.

[NervousNellie]

I heard from my professor who hadn't sent the letter. Turns out she has become quite ill and can't write the letter for me. She apologized profusely, and I accept that, but I am so disappointed in terms of what this means for me.

I have someone else who is happily jumping in, but I won't have any academic references at all. My top choice schools have been pretty clear my shot is now dismal. They really count on those academic letters.

What a sad, sad day.

[joro]

Bring her soup and help her get better. Well, good luck on finding a replacement. I emailed 4 Professors and only 1 responded to me. Another did respond, but he said that he's been out of academia for so long that he's unable to really write one.

[NervousNellie]

Bring her soup and help her get better.

Well, I might except that she is ill with something that soup won't help and it would take me a couple days of traveling to get there .

Thanks for the wishes of luck.