I am applying for PhD programmes very soon and I have recently been trying to get in touch with my potential referees. At my previous institution there is a professor who knows me the most out of all academics I know; we had plenty of conversations regarding the field I want to pursue my PhD in and also I did very well in modules taught by him. I was planning to request a reference from him and I tried to get in touch with him three times (through e-mail), however, he has not replied to me (it has been about two months since my first e-mail). Should I assume that he overlooked my e-mails (he is very busy) and send him another message? Or rather, should I try to contact him through the Department? It might seem to be a trivial case, but I really do not want to annoy him too much as his reference would potentially be of the biggest importance in my applications. What would you suggest in this particular case?
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Since you used to interact with him a lot: when you used to communicate with him, was he responsive to email in general? Or did he often lose track of email?– ff524Commented Oct 16, 2017 at 20:37
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Try calling him, giving an answer will take about as long as hanging up the phone.– MarkCommented Oct 16, 2017 at 20:39
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@ff524 Usually, it was through random encounters or during his office hours. In terms of his responsiveness to e-mails, I would say it was about 50/50.– pab112Commented Oct 16, 2017 at 21:06
2 Answers
I had a similar experience with a professor while working off an Incomplete. He did a lot of outside consulting on top of his academic obligations and was one of those people who is simply hard to contact.
In the event that your professor is simply hard to contact I would track down a phone number and try a direct call. It is possible that your emails got lost in the shuffle or the spam filter.
Alternatively their situation may have changed since you were there: they could be on sabbatical, sick or they may have left the institution. Do you have any friends still there you could check with? You could also check the course listings to see if they are currently teaching.
Without knowing the professor I think it is unlikely they are trying to duck your request. If they didn't want to recommend you, there are other ways to handle that such as with a weak recommendation or simply telling you.
I would try to exhaust the other contact options before officially trying to contact them through the department.
Does your new potential school have a portal for recommendation letters? I know several schools that request the recommendation directly from individuals you specify.
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This professor is also doing a lot of consulting and external work. Also, I had my friends to check whether he is still working there and it seems that it is the case. My potential schools have portals for recommendation letters, but I think it would be better to first know that he is actually happy to refer me, rather than to present him with a fait accompli. Would you suggest to give him a ring or maybe to use a more subtle way such as sending a letter, which is more difficult to overlook?– pab112Commented Oct 16, 2017 at 21:12
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1Something more subtle than a direct call during working hours is to call their office phone well after work hours and leave a message. I wouldn't mention the emails in the message. Just let them know you are applying to PhD programs and would like to talk to them about a recommendation letter. Then give a callback number. Depending on your location, you could drop in for a visit during office hours and casually mention your plans. Then gauge their reaction; see if they offer a letter or just nod. Commented Oct 16, 2017 at 21:34
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1I believe that calling him well after his working hours can be dangerous - sometimes he stays in the office very late. It would be quite awkward if he pick up my call about 10 p.m.– pab112Commented Oct 16, 2017 at 22:07
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1I don't like being called, as that forces me to respond at a time that is in all likelihood not convenient to me. If you want to call, call his secretary. Commented Oct 17, 2017 at 7:42
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He can always decide not to pick up the phone if he doesn't want to answer. I think calling is the best way to reach this person, unless you are still near campus and could stop by office hours. Commented Oct 18, 2017 at 15:36
If he has a secretary, call him or her, and ask what would be the best approach.
You could try calling him during his office hours.
If you want to leave a voicemail and are concerned he might be working in his office in the evening -- a safe bet would probably be early morning.
There are scores of questions on this site about professors not sending in a promised recommendation letter on time. Since this guy is even flakier than that, I suggest you look for other professors to recommend you. If this guy manages to send a letter in, you'll be pleasantly surprised. But if he doesn't, your application won't be held up.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
