<p>Hi delian,
In the Common App world, there are two types of recommendations: online and offline. The online process works as described in this post: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1061479661-post4.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1061479661-post4.html</a></p>
<p>The offline process is paper copies sent by postal mail -- in which case, yes, a separate copy would have to be sent to each college on your list.</p>
<p>When you "invite" a teacher to provide a recommendation for you, you're asked to supply the teacher's name and email address. If you leave the email address out, then the teacher automatically becomes an offline provider (i.e., postal mail) and you must print a copy of your rec forms and give it to your teacher.</p>
<p>If you supply the teacher's email address, then the teacher receives an email message with login information. The teacher then can decide whether to provide his recommendation online or offline.</p>
<p>Now, on to your other questions. When is the best time to ask for letters -- again in the case of Common App, the beginning of your senior year is probably best. The Common App for 2010-2011 (your first year of college) won't be available until this summer.</p>
<p>You never attach a letter of recommendation to your application. If the teacher is an offline provider, he mails the letter directly to the college. If the teacher is an online provider, you specify which teachers' recs you want to submit to each college, and commonapp.org just makes it happen.</p>
<p>commonapp.org does not provide a mechanism to submit "extra" recs. If you wish to supply recs beyond what a college requests, they need to be mailed. This can be done, and the admissions counselors will look at all the recs you've submitted. One or two extra recs would be ok, if you know they'll add something to your profile that wouldn't otherwise be there. Don't send more than one or two extras, and don't send extras if they might be redundant.</p>
<p>Now, a few other things that you will want to know later on.</p>
<p>About the FERPA waiver. By checking the FERPA waiver box, you are giving up your right to see certain recs. Here's a thread you can read about it -- <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/common-application/604562-ferpa-waiver.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/common-application/604562-ferpa-waiver.html</a> -- but the bottom line is this:
- At least some colleges trust waived recs more than non-waived ones, because they figure the teacher will be more candid if he knows you won't know what he writes about you.
- The only recs you would ever have a right to see under FERPA are any recs that are saved as part of your academic record by a college to which you are accepted and in which you enroll. You can't use FERPA to read a rec that was submitted to a college that denied you.
- The FERPA waiver is a formality for most, although some folks refuse it on principle.
It's your choice.</p>
<p>Now, if you can't see the recs, how can you strategize to get good ones? Here's one way: Apply this spring for a summer program or scholarship that requires recs you can see. Ask a handful of teachers to write recs and give them to you. Make a note of which ones are the most articulate, the most positive, and the most descriptive of your personal qualities. Those are the ones you want to target next fall. There are more ideas like that in the FERPA waiver thread I mentioned before.</p>
<p>Now, etiquette in requesting recs. First off, give the teacher enough time -- at least a couple of weeks if you're in a small school, or at least a month if the school is very large or you're asking during the hot time for applications (October/November). If the teacher puts you off, go elsewhere; he's saying not to expect a good rec from him, for whatever reason. If the teacher agrees, first thank him. Then supply a packet with your resume or a bulleted list of your accomplishments... a brief description of the colleges you're applying to and what they're looking for in a student... and possibly a reminder or two of relevant anecdotes (e.g., "you might like to mention my term paper on running with scissors, which you said was the best you've ever read... or the time I administered CPR to save the life of a student who passed out after choking on some Skittles in your classroom" :D). This should all be short and sweet. If the teacher will be an offline provider, also supply a copy of the blank form with your Common App ID printed at the bottom and stamped envelopes pre-addressed to the Admissions Office of each college. (Let the teacher know up front if you're applying to multiple colleges!) Thank the teacher in writing as soon as the recs are done (a card or note is sufficient). Notify the teacher of your acceptances once you get them (that's the fun part!).</p>
<p>Optionally, you might enlist your school's GC (guidance counselor). This worked very well for geek_son. He asked all his teachers to give their paper recs to the GC, then asked her to keep copies in his file. Then for each application, he could request that she send copies of the recs along with his transcript and Secondary School Report (a form the counselor fills out), which made things easier on the admissions folks.</p>
<p>Jeez, I didn't mean to write so much. I hope this helps you get started. Good luck!</p>