Do teachers (secretly) want to be paid for writing letters of recommendation?

I asked my college professors for letters, and they said they would write them. Within a couple of weeks, they said the letters were ready. Months later, however, they still haven't been sent (I know this 'cause I can check the status of my application on the schools' websites). What's up with that?


- I provided everything for them (stamps, self-addressed envelope, forms, etc.).


- I gave them plenty of time to write the letters.


- I received A's in their classes and have done extracurricular activities with them (research, tutored their students, gave presentations).





Whenever I try reaching them via email or phone, they don't respond.


I'm driving to school tomorrow to talk to them (again). As an added gesture, my dad suggested that I give them each a thank-you card with a check for $50 as a "sign of appreciation." He said that sometimes teachers need that extra "boost."


In my opinion, that sounds wrong, but I don't know what else to do. What do you think? Money or no money?

Do teachers (secretly) want to be paid for writing letters of recommendation?
No. Don't do it. It is unethical, because even though your reasoning for giving money is to give them a "boost" to write them already, it can come across as if you paid off teachers to give you a good reference. On top of it, they may even report your actions. Wait until you get the letters and then maybe send a nice card - avoid expensive gifts or cash. The best thing is to send a card and then get them a gift at Christmas a few months later in appreciation.





And if they are taking too long, just contact them and let them know that the deadline is approaching - and ask if you could do anything to make it easier (ie. speak with them or come pick up the letter directly). Some might not know what to write and might even want you to help a bit (not to write it for them, but they might not know everything about you).





Good luck with your applications.
Reply:Just talk to them personally. Set an appointment. They may be too busy. If you personally follow up on your request, they may just do it right there and then.
Reply:I don't think it's a good idea to pay a teacher to write your letter. I've never heard of that and if a teacher ever wanted me to do that, I'd ask someone else. It seems unethical.
Reply:As a college professor, it would be very unprofessional to accept money to write a letter of recommendation. Also, I do NOT expect to paid, secretly or otherwise!





Are you absolutely sure the letters weren't sent? How do you know that the school(s) to which they weren't sent aren't up-to-date? Perhaps it is something on their end. Did you try to call those schools to see if they had been sent?





I know we have a few absent-minded professors in my department, but I can't imagine any of them putting off a letter of recommendation for a couple of months.





Bottom line: do NOT offer them money to write the letters!
Reply:Terrible idea. It may just backfire on you with the prof writing that you are of a questionable ethics background.
Reply:I would not send them money. It seems very inappropriate. Sending letters of recommendation are all a part of their jobs. I would speak to the advisor and ask if they can contact them for you.
Reply:I have never heard of teachers being paid for letters of recommendation. I do understand how some teachers sort of put off writing them, as some teachers get asked to do dozens of them. If they told you they would write the letters, you are certainly within your rights to ask them about the letters and to ask if they could please send them as soon as possible. My vote is for no money, and I may be naive about it, but I always thought that this particular service was one of the expectations of the job of being a professor.
Reply:Well go talk to them, if they still dont do it, then go talk to your principal, or head advisor.
Reply:I think if your teachers need bribes in order to do what you asked them to do, you should get new teachers to write your letters of recommendation. Who knows what kind of lazy effort they put together before you offered to pay?





Just go talk to them. It does seem a little suspicious that they're not returning your calls, but they could be very busy, or it's possible that they sent them out and have no more idea than you what the post office or admissions department did with them. Again, if you're not happy with the response you get, try to find some other people to ask.





One thing to note: after they do get your letters out, it's customary to give some small token of appreciation. It's not expected, though, and it's usually supposed to be more personal than cash.

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