How much time to give others to fill out recommendations?

JoeFahey

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2005
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I am going for an interview to participate in the people to people student ambassador trip to Japan. Part of the deal is that I get 2 recommendations from 2 teachers, and 2 recommendations from other people. Would it be acceptable to hand it to them on a Monday, and ask for it by Friday? What is the norm for these types of things?

Thanks!
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
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I think that it's a fair amount of time. I wouldn't have a problem if someone asked that of me.
 

uberman

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2006
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Teaching is quite intense. You have to plan instruction, grade papers, handle individual student issues, IEPs, last minute meetings, etc. Give it to the instructor on a Monday perhaps. At least give the teacher 7 days, so they can get to it after they finish other things, maybe on the weekend.
 

doze

Platinum Member
Jul 26, 2005
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When you ask them for the recommendation simply ask what would be a good day to pick this up? Then expect at least one of the two teachers to be a day or two late b/c they are busy with other things.
 

Balt

Lifer
Mar 12, 2000
12,673
482
126
The best thing you can do is get the forms to the teachers ASAP and tell them date that you will need them (or tell them a couple of days earlier than you actually need them just in case).

It kind of depends on how much time you actually have before you need to turn them in.
 

imported_vr6

Platinum Member
Jul 6, 2001
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i hate recommendations.

Its really all based on luck. I just finished my pharm school applications and this is what happened.

First recommendation to a professor, sent on 9/05 after reminding him about 5 times he filled it out on 10/22.

Second recommendation to another professor, sent on 10/10. He filled it out 10/17.

Get it in early and pray to god he'll remember to do it without you having to nag him a million times.
 

thirtythree

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2001
8,680
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If you mean high school teachers, that sounds okay, though I'd try to give longer. If you mean professors I'd try to give at least three weeks to a month and send a reminder e-mail or two. EDIT: That said, I'd imagine a professor would be willing to do it in that amount of time if they actually like you. It might annoy them a bit if they're used to having longer is all. EDIT2: And when you say recommendations, do you mean filling out a form or writing a letter? If just filling out a form, I think that amount of time would be fine.
 

Tiamat

Lifer
Nov 25, 2003
14,068
5
71
I usually give 1 month for recommendations. This was for grad school apps though. Back when i was in grade school, I also gave 1 month lead time for scholarship apps.

I usually send a reminder email after 2 weeks, then a verbal reminder when 5 business days remain on my deadline, and 10 business days remain on the institution's deadline.