MetaChat - A question about etiquette:

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09 November 2007

A question about etiquette: Is two months enough lead-time for people (specifically professors) to write letters of recommendation for grad school?→[More:] I've finally figured out where I'm applying and all that good stuff, and the first deadline is January 15 for University of Washington. I talked to the professors in question so they know it's coming, and I'll be putting together a packet for each of them with my resume, stamped and addressed envelopes, statement of purpose, etc. Anything else I should do?

post by: Fuzzbean at: 17:30 | 5 comments

Well, considering that there's probably a holiday break, you really only have a month and a half (but that's probably enough, and I know that some professors write the recommendations over holiday break).

Also, it might be a good idea to plan on checking up with them at some point between now and the 15th.

posted by muddgirl 09 November | 18:08

I would think two months is reasonable.

posted by kellydamnit 09 November | 18:22

Sounds fine. Be sure to let them know the deadlines. You can also call the schools to verify receipt. In fact, I highly recommend calling the admissions' office of each school you apply to to verify your application file is complete (test scores, letters, etc.). I may have missed out on one graduate program when it turned out they had half my application materials in one file and half in another. I had no idea until the program director called me.

Best of luck!

posted by Pips 09 November | 19:08

Yeah I gave mine a month and they were all happy to oblige.

posted by Ambrosia Voyeur 09 November | 20:03

That should be fine. But with break falling in the middle, it wouldn't be out of line to email a polite reminder shortly after finals.

posted by ROU Xenophobe 09 November | 23:34

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