How to Apply for an Extension of Time to Submit

Maybe you just broke up with a lover, got sick unexpectedly, or were overwhelmed with homework. There are hundreds of good reasons why you don’t turn in your assignments on time. Perhaps you feel intimidated when you have to ask for an extension of your submission deadline. Here’s the best way to get a professor’s sympathy.

Table of Contents

Steps

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Sending an e-mail is often the best way to apply for an extension. You can easily present your problem in an e-mail and say whatever is necessary without being interrupted. However, some professors don’t like e-mail and see it as a way to avoid face-to-face conversation. If you do not receive a reply within 24 hours (weekend), please speak directly with the professor in his office. Don’t call unless you think the professor will assume it’s an emergency, which is usually unlikely.

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The subject line must represent the content of the e-mail. Surely your professor regularly receives many similar e-mails. Titles like “submission extension” or “submission extension” are usually best.

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Start the e-mail with the word “Dear” and the professor’s title. Use full title to show respect.

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Start by apologizing for sending the e-mail. For some reason you could not submit your assignment on time. Take responsibility for this.

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Present your situation. If life were perfect, you would have submitted your assignments on time. If it’s been a rough day for you, explain why. If you have an important test that same day, say so. Someone’s death is also acceptable, if it is true. Otherwise, such stories should be avoided, most professors will sympathize with circumstances not to such an extent.

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Please extend the time. Be specific about the amount of time you need. If it only takes a few hours, don’t ask for 2 days. So ask for the minimum time required to write a quality article.

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Thank the professor for taking the time to read the e-mail and for their concern.

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End the e-mail with the word “Sincerely” and your name.

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If the professor doesn’t allow it, you have to accept it. They are under no obligation to accept your request. Again begging makes you look childish, so it’s best avoided. Take the test, accept the deduction, and accept that deadline.

Advice

The more responsible you are in class (get to class on time, stay focused, complete your assignments), the more likely your professor will give you an extension if you really need to.
Apply for an extended period of time before submission deadlines – as soon as you realize the problem. Don’t wait until the deadline is up to raise an issue when your professor asks you to submit your work.
If you are really sick, you should go to the hospital before going to see the professor. You can get a doctor’s confirmation to apply for an extension because of illness.
Discuss issues privately, either by e-mail or in person. Avoid making phone calls. If successful, please keep this information private. That way, professors won’t be pressured to extend class deadlines, or feel like their authority isn’t solid in front of everyone.
Even if you’re not sick with illnesses like the flu or pneumonia but are just extremely stressed (eg, can’t sleep, cry a lot because of stress, lack of appetite, etc.) you can still go to the doctor. Your doctor may apply for an extension for you for “health reasons” to reduce stress that can take a toll on your health. Some professors may value their doctor’s request for an extension more than just hearing you tell them how stressed they are.
The worst case scenario is that the professor will say “no”. But there’s no harm in asking, especially when it can help you.
Understand the problem the professor might face if he gives you an extension. Deadlines for assignments or project submissions pose a major issue of class equity. The time you apply for is time that other students don’t get because they submitted their assignments on time. Penalty for late submission is not punishment, but fairness.
Be honest. Lying is unnecessary, complicates things and can lead to serious consequences.
Consider asking for a specific deadline and stating the benefit if you have extra time. For example, if your research project is due on Monday, you could say, “I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and need help at the library. I have an appointment with the librarian this Friday, so I hope you can extend the submission date to Wednesday. That way I’ll have a few days to re-read and not have to study, write and re-read in just one week.”
If you are applying for an extension because of illness, consider the information the professor really needs to know. “I have a fever” is appropriate; but “I have both vomiting and diarrhea!” not.

Warning

Try to get only one extension per semester, unless it’s really hard. It is understandable if you ask for an extension once, but asking for three times means you are being irresponsible with your time.
Your teacher can extend it, but points will be deducted for late submission. You will have to consider whether applying for an extension is worth the loss.
If you lie, you may be held accountable according to school honesty regulations. That way you could fail the course or even get kicked out of the university. Be honest – don’t trade everything for an assignment.
If the reason you are applying for an extension is related to a physical disability and learning ability, you will probably be asked to document it. School regulations or federal law may not allow a professor to accept your situation verbally, no matter how obvious you may be. If you have a learning disability, find an office that handles student disability cases early in the semester. It may take time to get approved, so don’t wait until something goes wrong.

Steps

Advice

Warning

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