How much time to give others to fill out recommendations?

[JoeFahey]

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]

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

 

[uberman]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.