Hi all,

Some quick advise is needed. I sent in a request to my professor X a month ago to be my referee and X said would be delighted. I then sent X all the info needed and X said they would mail them to me asap. Its been three weeks now since I have heard from x. I did email a reminder but havent heard back. I am also abroad so cant call into the Uni so I contacted the law dept and asked if they could just check with X that x has them mailed out(since x has no direct line to the office)they asked me to email them about it- and I guess they forwarded on the info.....Its been a few days. AAH!! Im tearing my hair out. What should i do? Should I find another referee- I know that the prof is busy but has anyone else encountered delays like this? Thanks

Yes, ive had experience with this. Two of my prof's were 2 months late with their references. I couldn't believe how slack they were! They nearly cost me my application to oxford (not that I got in, lol!). I can't believe, that prof's, busy as they are, don't find the time to come through on the commitments they make us -they know our futures hang in the balance! (excuse the rant)

I would suggest getting another referee. If your prof eventually does submit the reference, then you have an extra one, which can be helpful in your application anyways. I would also try to get in contact with the prof on the phone again. This should get you an immediate answer.

Hope that helps
jo

Dear Pogomail,
From a Professor's side it looks rather different.

If you want a speedy reference two tips:-
1. Give the Prof plenty of notice. You see the Professor in class, but that is not all he or she does. The Prof may well also have a significant admin workload, plus may having writing deadlines for academic papers, papers to give at conferences and advisory opinions to draft. Dropping a reference in with such heavy workloads without notice or with little notice and it will get delayed.
2. Is it appropriate for you to obtain a reference for that Prof?
Has the Prof actually taught you? I sometimes get reference requests from students I have never taught. Just don't do it. Ok, the Prof may not have taught you but is appropriate that you obtain a reference from that Prof? Is this a reference for a job in family law and you are asking a Professor of Commercial Law. Its not recommended, if you can avoid doing this (clearly in extremis you may have no choice).

Notice is the most important issue. Give your Prof as much notice as possible if you want a speedy reference.

Professor Alan Riley
LLM Programme Director
City Law School
City University
London, EC1V 0HB
Electronic Mail: alan.riley.1@city.ac.uk