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[gaucho25]

I'm ABD and applying for dissertation fellowships. For personal, family, and field research reasons, I have been away from my university for almost two years. My co-advisors do not always read drafts that much, but are responsive to setting up phone appointments, giving research advice, and writing letters of reference. However, much of my committee is a bit MIA (and I admit it is difficult since I am not longer at the university).  Earlier this year, I asked a member of my committee to write a letter of reference. She agreed enthusiastically, but failed to make the deadline and has not responded.  Another committee member has written numerous letters of reference previously, but she has recently moved to a different university and has since then not been very responsive.  I have another fellowship application due next week and have not heard from either of the faculty members.  Any advice on how to receive a response?  I am worried in the short term for fellowship applications, but I am also worried for the long term as how best to manage my committee from afar.

[sugaree]

Find out their office hours and call them directly. Emails can easily get lost/forgotten about (as can voicemails, so it is imperative that you speak to them in person, hence the google-stalking for office hours).

It feels awkward, of course, but it is our job to write letters for advisees especially when we've already agreed. A reminder is appropriate, as is making sure that you make requests with plenty of lead time (not that this sounds like your problem, OP, just a friendly reminder).

[gaucho25]

Thanks! I will definitely try to call the office. It feels a bit intimidating/stalker like but it is better than radio silence.  One of the professors is not teaching this semester.  Any advice on that besides annoying emails? And how much is too annoying? Once a week?  I am just starting to panic again because I ended up getting disqualified from a fellowship earlier this year because of a late letter of reference.

[whenwillitend]

i've always hated having to ask people for letters of reference. last fall I discovered there is such a thing called interfolio. it's a service (that charges a nominal fee, about $20 a year) to manage your application materials, including confidential letters from referees, and to deliver them for another fee ($5 or 6) to email, and a $7 or so to upload to an online application system.

it's wonderful as you do not have to keep bugging people for letters for every single application you send out. the downside is the letters would be fairly generic. don't know if that would be a problem for you.