You emailed a professor for a recommendation letter but haven’t heard back.

**Question:**
You emailed your former professor, Dr. Peterson, ten days ago asking for a recommendation letter for graduate school. The application deadline is in two weeks, and you have not received a reply. Write a follow-up email to Dr. Peterson. In your email:
– Remind him of your original request
– Politely ask if he is able to write the letter
– Offer to provide any additional materials or meet in person

**Model Answer:**

**To:** dr.peterson@university.edu
**Subject:** Follow-up – Recommendation letter request (graduate school application)

Dear Dr. Peterson,

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to kindly follow up on my previous email sent ten days ago, in which I requested a recommendation letter for my graduate school application to the Master of Environmental Science program at Western University.

I completely understand that you are very busy, especially during the summer term. I do not wish to be a nuisance, but the application deadline is now two weeks away – specifically July 30th – and I am beginning to feel some urgency to confirm my list of references.

To refresh your memory, I was a student in your Ecology 301 and Field Methods 405 courses during my junior and senior years. I graduated with honours and completed a research project under your supervision on wetland biodiversity. You kindly agreed at that time to serve as a reference for my future academic pursuits, and I was hoping you might still be willing to write a brief letter on my behalf.

If you are able and willing to write the letter, I would be deeply grateful. I have attached my updated CV, my personal statement draft, and a summary of the programs I am applying to. I am also happy to provide a bullet-point list of specific qualities or experiences you might wish to highlight.

If you are unable to write the letter due to time constraints or any other reason, I completely understand – please just let me know so that I can make alternative arrangements. Either way, I am grateful for your mentorship during my undergraduate years.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Emily Zhang