STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

halleybird · Hermes

letter of recommendation etiquette

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

maybe try a friendly phone call? i always find tone of voice helps in situations like this. if a phone call isn't an option, maybe try something like this:

Dear Prof so and so,

I just wanted to thank you again for generously agreeing to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. As you may remember, I am applying to ___insert name of school___ to pursue a graduate degree in English (right?). I've recently been contacted by ___insert name of school___ inquiring about whether you have completed your letter of recommendation. I certainly don't mean to intrude upon your busy schedule but I was hoping that you would perhaps be able to give me a time frame as to when you expected to finish my letter so that I may let the school know when they can expect to receive it. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Halleybird

hope that helps some and good luck!

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

I agree with esquiress that a phone call is probably best so that you can convey through tone of voice that you're not annoyed and put them at ease. of course i say that, and i detest talking to people on the phone, but maybe that's just my own neuroses. it might seem more akward than emailing but it's probably more effective and also you can make sure they hear from you...sometimes your emails can get lost if they get tons and tons of emails everyday.

you could also call sort of under the pretense that you just wanted to see if they needed more info from you about your goals, skills, etc. sort of remind them in a roundabout way? then you're not like, "where's my damn letter?" but clearly, they would get the point.

halleybird · Hermes

thanks for the suggestion, both of you! I forgot to mention that the reason I need to email them is because I don't have any type of long-distance service on my phone.

One of the profs actually emailed me today. He's been going through a huge personal crisis and totally forgot. He was super apologetic and offered to FedEx the letter. I am going to email the other one. Thank you both!