<p>I have a pretty good idea where I want to apply. I had the thought that some of my teachers might prefer to work on recommendations over the summer as things get so busy when the fall session hits. I had heard that I am not to see the recommendations. I have nine schools where I would like to apply. Four are UC, four are Common App members and then there is MIT with its own my.mit.edu. Would each teacher need to send a separate letter via snail mail to each college? That is - I give each teacher nine pre-addressed stamped envelops and they print nine copies of the letters of praise (I hope) and stuff and mail nine envelops? Or is there some method that can reduce their work load - write once, input to some web site, voila done?! Is there any merit to my offering for them to beat the fall rush? Or would that just be interrupting their summer?</p>
<p>Most high schools and colleges handle the process online - with teachers submitting an electronic version. Our high school, like many others, uses Naviance which allows the kids to manage the process and track the parts of the application online. The colleges will typically allow a paper version and provide a pdf in which case you would provide the envelopes (addressed and stamped preferably to make it easy for the teacher). </p>
<p>I would recommend going online to the common app, and the schools that are not common app, and simply research the process and options. It should all be available on their web sites.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, you “invite” recommenders. Be sure to ask first, before they get an email. :)</p>
<p>I don’t think many teachers write recommendations over the summer. (I personally do not, as I want to write as detailed a rec as possible, and that typically references senior year progress.) If the teacher has left the school, or you will have little to no contact during senior year, ask as early as possible. Deliver a complete resume, write a cover letter and/or sit down with that teacher and discuss where you’re applying, when and why.</p>
<p>This information lets the teacher write the best rec possible. If you plan on asking a senior year teacher, make it clear from day 1, so the teacher can look for positive things to write.</p>
<p>I don’t think you need any paper recs, because all Common App schools take online, MIT has it’s own online form, and UCs (at least Berkeley, I’m not too sure about others) don’t even take recommendations.</p>
<p>I would recommend asking your teachers for recs before summer break, and assuming they say yes, your second question should be what they would like you to prepare. Some teachers like to have information before break, so they have more time to write. But I think most will tell you to hold off on sending information until September or October.</p>