<p>i know teachers stress out when they have to write recommendation letters for numerous students during the year. i figure if i were going to apply to 3-4 schools that require recommendation letters, it would understandbly set the teacher on edge (4 letters for just ONE student). how do you guys go about asking them for recs? i really appreciate them doing me the favor, but i figured a simple coffee for "compensation" would not be suffice or really be saying much in the way of gratitude. thanks.</p>
<p>Don't teachers write one, then print out multiple copies? I seriously doubt that colleges expect teachers to write a different letter for every school, for the same student.</p>
<p>In erms of asking them for recs, I verbally asked if they'd be willing to write me a rec for college apps. After thanking them, I quickly explained that I would need several (in my case, 5-7) and asked them if they were OK with writing a single letter and changing the name of the school in each version (and maybe writing a little blurb for my first-choice school to indicate that). While I made it clear that it would be all right if they preferred to do it for fewer schools, they all readily agreed to do it for the 5-7. Since I'm applying to a combination of schools using both the Common App and their own apps, I typed up a sheet of the compiled questions from all the rec forms. If you've looked at the number of "evaluation points" on even the Common App alone, you know that there are a LOT. I made it clear that they don't have to (in fact, SHOULDN'T) comment on all the points, but just the ones they feel most qualified to address.</p>
<p>As for "compensation," keep your teachers updated on where you're attendiong college. Make sure to write them nice thank-you notes. Maybe a quick one a week or so before apps are due (subtle reminder for them to get started on writing the rec) and then one in April or May when you've made your final college decision.</p>
<p>ask nicely. most teachers are very willing to help. but don't "assume" they will write for you, be polite and explain it thoroughly. after that, keep your teachers updated on the results and where will you be going.</p>
<p>I don't even know where I want to apply yet FOR SURE (my list is around 10 or so <em>blush</em>) but I already asked my teachers, telling them I had an incomplete list. They said "sure" and that they would type it up, print it out (on school letterhead) and my counselor teacher would photocopy it and slip it in each individual college packet. My teachers tend to address past recommendations with "To whom it concerns" instead of individualizing it. Ask nicely and with a GREAT deal of time ahead. Our guidance counselor also has a form where you fill out with your EC's for each year and hand that to your recommendators (right word?) so they have a little something more than your academic performance to talk about.
Good luck to you!</p>