Professor STILL Hasn't Written Recommendations

[KA.DINGER.RA]

I've applied to seven programs. Everything is wrapped up and submitted. Two professors have completed all of my recs, my GRE scores are in, I've paid the criminally high prices for PhD apps.

 

But I still have a professor who hasn't even opened the recommendation forms.

 

I don't have a question or anything. But it's lame.

[Eigen]

When are the letters due? Have you sent them a gentle reminder? When was the last time you talked to them?

[KA.DINGER.RA]

I sent the professor a reminder a couple of days ago. There is no "due date" for letters listed on any of my applications.

I know he'll do it, but it still makes me anxious! haha.

[TakeruK]

39 minutes ago, KA.DINGER.RA said:

I sent the professor a reminder a couple of days ago. There is no "due date" for letters listed on any of my applications.

I know he'll do it, but it still makes me anxious! haha.

Typically, the nominal due date for all application materials is the application due date, unless otherwise stated. But in reality, the real due date is basically whenever they start evaluating applicants.

If you have not already told this 3rd prof the due dates, then you should probably do so. Many people will wait until something needs to be done before doing it. If you don't tell them the deadline, they won't prioritize it and it might keep getting pushed back. So, if the due date has already passed, definitely let them know ASAP and apologize for not informing them of the due date earlier. If they are still coming up, then let them know about the due date and remind them again a few days before.

[xypathos]

11 hours ago, KA.DINGER.RA said:

I sent the professor a reminder a couple of days ago. There is no "due date" for letters listed on any of my applications.

I know he'll do it, but it still makes me anxious! haha.

I assure you, there's a due date! Some schools are rather strict on this where your app can't be edited or added to beyond midnight of the deadline. Others, you're good until someone certifies it as complete.

As @TakeruK suggested, email the prof and let them know of the application deadline. Should they be unable to meet it, hopefully you can scrounge up a backup.

[Eigen]

The due date for the applicant isn't always the one for the letter, though. I've got a bunch I'm writing now that have letters due about 2 weeks after the applications. Other are due closer in.

[TakeruK]

10 hours ago, Eigen said:

The due date for the applicant isn't always the one for the letter, though. I've got a bunch I'm writing now that have letters due about 2 weeks after the applications. Other are due closer in.

Indeed, but if no separate letter due date is given then I think one should assume it's the same as the applicant's due date. In all of my grad school and postdoc applications, only two (out of about 30 applications submitted) gave letter writers extra time (and one of them was an application 8 years ago where we had to snail-mail all supporting materials, so the extra time was for mailing more than anything else).

However, to be clear, that doesn't mean that the schools won't be more lenient on late letters than late applicant materials. They will likely accept letters some time beyond the applicant due date. I am just advising students to use the applicant's due date as the final due date unless other dates are given.