Recommender Agreed to Recommendation but Isn't Active

Question

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone has had an issue with a recommender coming to the end of a deadline and not having the recommendation completed? I've kept in contact with the person, even told them that I don't mean to impose and to let me know if they cannot provide the recommendation in the timeframe and I would ask someone else. They told me they would do it a week ago and they haven't still. My application for the second round is complete and is due January 11, 2021 and I'm just waiting on the recommendation. If the recommender doesn't get it done in time, I'm in the dreaded third round and have a much less chance of acceptance. I have backup people but they are all at the same company and are the bosses of the recommender.

What would you do in this situation?

Asharagarwal · Answer

If the recommender is not responding, Get in touch with backup recommenders and get them completed. 
Not much time left.

Posted from my mobile device

Asharagarwal · Answer

It’s more about the content than the recommender per se. 
can leave a note in the assigned space regarding the change in recommender.

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

This is typical. Unfortunately. Recommendations are a pain. Chances are they have not opened it yet

I had to write quite a few at one point in time and while I had 2 months of notice, I finished them 3 days before the deadline. Schools are aware of the challenges that people face with recommenders and some have made it possible for recommenders to submit LOR's past the deadline (not that you should be counting on this or planning this). Have you gone back and forth with your recommender over the questions? or given them a hand in helping out? I have had a few things that were annoying. The LOR is asking for ranking oacross multiple factors (a matrix). I know that I can't show/say that the person is 100% so I have to give them a 4 instead of a 5 in a few categories but not sure which ones so it would be helpful if you could your recommender which areas you want to grow and don't feel you quite have a 5 yet. That makes their life easier and they can obviously choose to over-rule you. Is this recommender an MBA? the above may not be needed or coaching may not be needed if they have an MBA and the opposite is true if not. P.S. Which deadline did you communicate to the recommender? They may not think it is an issue while you are stressing out. Maybe they are planning to fill out Jan 5th?

MIT0085 · Answer

Oh yes, I sent the recommender an entire guide and with clear examples of answers to the questions they are being asked. I sent the recommendation request on October 6 and have contacted the recommender each month, with December 9th being the last day of contact in which I received a text that the recommender was working on it. I provided a deadline for the recommendation as January 4, 2021 with the round 2 application deadline actually being January 11, 2021. I've just spent so much time and resources on my application and going to her boss who is the backup for the recommendation may cause issues but there's not much I can do. I don't know if just hoping that the recommender will pull through is enough. The MIT Application this round isn't asking too much specific questions as is in the past. But I just do not want this to affect my application status.

bb · Answer

you have time. It’s possible that they indeed have started working on the recommendation. When I said I submitted it three days before, it doesn’t mean I started three days before the deadline. I probably started a month or so and started writing my thoughts down. I think it’s fair to check in next week before the holidays. It’s a bit of a balancing act but I think if you stay professional, it will be good. I personally feel exactly like you but some people can send a note and make it sound totally ordinary and completely neutral that does not antagonize the person who’s late. Yet again, they’re shooting for the January 4 deadline as far as they’re concerned, there is no reason for them to be early. They are only late in your mind

but by all other measurements, they still have time.

I would just check in on Monday, no reason to ruin their weekend, I just offer help and ask them when they think they will be able to finish it. That’s typic when you have a good project manager, to stay on top of other people and it only reflects positive on you if you do a good job as a project manager.You can overdo it of course

so find that balance!

Posted from my mobile device

but by all other measurements, they still have time. I would just check in on Monday, no reason to ruin their weekend, I just offer help and ask them when they think they will be able to finish it. That’s typic when you have a good project manager, to stay on top of other people and it only reflects positive on you if you do a good job as a project manager.You can overdo it of course

so find that balance! Posted from my mobile device

MIT0085 · Answer

Interesting that you say that because I’m a project manager and am dealing with this on the daily! But not just in this format. So I’ll have to put my project manager hat on as I have been throughout the process. Can’t say it’s not stressful on my end though! Thanks for the advice.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Ha ha. Perhaps this is a test

The recommender is testing if you’re ready to graduate 😎 Posted from my mobile device

exliontamer · Answer

Wait, the recommendation is due on the 4th of January? I may be missing the gravity of the situation, but it seems as if they have ample time to complete the recommendation before then? I sent my recommenders an Outlook calendar invite for sometime on the weekend before each application deadline and they all got the recommendations done by then. Does Sloan review applications on a rolling basis or something that is leading you to be concerned?

MIT0085 · Answer

I believe that if my recommendation isn’t submitted, it holds up my entire application. As my application is not fully submitted and under review until the recommendation is submitted. And as of now, the recommendation has not been submitted. I did ask the recommender a month ago to let me know if she would not be able to complete it within the deadline and she said she would. Just not sure what to do at the moment. I’ve spent so much time and resources into my application.

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Ugh. Sorry. Do you have tomorrow to to do one more check-in? Or today is it? Maybe the recommender is just not aware of all the steps.... ? I’m really trying to give her the benefit of the doubt😢

Posted from my mobile device

MIT0085 · Answer

I just emailed her now and she’s on vacation. I just wish if she couldn’t do it that she would let me know. The application isn’t due until January 11 and I have a backup but just not sure that he will also agree to it.

nakulsridhar · Answer

One of my recommenders was nearly like this. I gave him three weeks notice. I know he has a certain amount of disposable free time everyday (so I know when I'm kindly "reminding him" vs when I'm "imposing"). And I gave him periodic reminders. But he still kept it to the last day. To be brutally honest, it did get me nervous. But I did repeat to myself a fact about him - he always keeps things hanging till the end and then makes a dash for it. This helped me stay a little grounded to sanity. Luckily for me, he came through on all my applications. I'm sorry you're having it so tough. I know it can give you nightmares and might ruin days for you out of nowhere. Luck favours the well-prepared. I'm sure you'll face great luck soon.

MIT0085 · Answer

This is exactly what happened to me! Got it in right at the last minute. Can’t tell you how relieved I am. And I did find out that my recommender did put effort and time into it, which I appreciate. The one week (or more) in advance deadline works (this is something I used as a buffer in the case that it was nearing the deadline).

bb · Answer

PS. I have submitted a few LOR’s 12 hours before the deadline type of thing BUT that was LOR 15 out of 18 and the person I was doing it for had a pretty clear understanding of timelines since I was writing 2-3 per day and it was getting tiring and I had other things.... anyway, glad it is over and submitted! Good luck!

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

MIT0085 · Answer

Thank you! It’s definitely stressful on both ends and I wanted to make it less stressful for the recommender as they were doing me a favor. But my application and recommendation are both submitted!

bb · Answer

Recommender Agreed to Recommendation but Isn't Active

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