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I asked 2 professors to write me LOR, and both agreed to do so. However, it has been 10 days and neither has come in. I asked one a week later in person and he promised to have it this weekend. I emailed the other on Friday and he has not responded.

How long does it take a professor to write a LOR usually? How long does it usually take them to get around to it? How often should i remind them? Weekly, more, or less? I really want my aplications ready now

Days to months. There's no way we can answer that for your professors, whom we have never met. Asking for them only 10 days ago was really late in the game, however.

If your professors are super busy, then it could take weeks. I have friends who could tell you horror stories about LOR writers that dropped the ball and waited months before sending in anything. Some people are simply unreliable, so you shouldn’t count on anything. The best thing to do is just to keep checking in and reminding them that this LOR is extremely important.

Also keep in mind that LSAC could take >2 weeks to process your LOR.

I think the general consensus is that you should ask your recommenders at least 4-5 weeks in advance of when you need the LOR, so that they can put it on their radar (and always have a backup plan). Best of luck!

rinkrat19 wrote:Days to months. There's no way we can answer that for your professors, whom we have never met. Asking for them only 10 days ago was really late in the game, however.

Thanks for the input guys. I let this sneak up on me, i had no idea that it would take so long. I guess i'm going to have to send weekly reminders and hope for the best.

Also, check out this helpful article from TLS about requesting LORs.

I had one letter take 9 months from one professor, and I had it take 2 weeks for another. You really never know. Good luck.

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For future LOR requests, I'd give any professor a 2 months head up before the deadline. They're busy and most professors I've dealt with seem to be pretty unorganized.

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10 days is extremely short. Mine took, from the time I asked, 3-4 weeks. I think giving a 6 week notice is a good timeframe.

well this is not good news
Thanks for the warning TLS hopefully my professors will be accommodating. Wish i had thought of this junior year

I gave 2 a long time to do it, but 1 I approached later.. he asked me when I needed it, I stated whenever is convenient for him, but (said date which was about 7 days away) would be awesome. He mailed it in like 4 days after I asked him, so worked for me I guess (although this is not advisable)