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Asking a professor who just left the univerity for a LOR

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:14 am
by julius305
A professor I have taken several courses with, and was going to take another this semester just left the university unexpectedly due to a conflict with the rest of the staff in the department. I was relying on them for a LOR. Would it be a terrible idea to ask them for a letter?

Re: Asking a professor who just left the univerity for a LOR

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:19 am
by 02889
One of my LOR is from a professor who now teaches elsewhere. I think it's totally fine, as long as they can comment on their time with you as their student. Of course, if the professor left because of an academic or professional scandal and you think his or her name is actually tainted, maybe try to look elsewhere if you can.

Re: Asking a professor who just left the univerity for a LOR

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:23 am
by shredderrrrrr
Yeah I asked the former dean of my college for one despite the fact that he had switched schools. Wasn't a problem whatsoever.

Re: Asking a professor who just left the univerity for a LOR

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:39 am
by Yardbird
Got one from a prof who left as well. Shouldn't matter that he's gone. Just might look a little odd that his LOR is on a different letterhead that your undergrad (if he even uses the school's letterhead).

Re: Asking a professor who just left the univerity for a LOR

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:45 pm
by bp shinners
shadowofjazz wrote:Got one from a prof who left as well. Shouldn't matter that he's gone. Just might look a little odd that his LOR is on a different letterhead that your undergrad (if he even uses the school's letterhead).
I don't think admissions officers will even give it a second though (the letterhead being different). Definitely don't worry about it.