<p>I've wondered this for a while. For those who apply to many privates that require recs, how do you go about that? Do you have your teacher(s) write multiple recs? I'd think that you could copy the rec and send it to multiple schools, but different schools seem to have different rec forms. So, what would one do about that?</p>
<p>I'm applying to all private colleges. Right after spring break of junior year, I approached two teachers and if they would be willing to do recommendations. They both said yes, and after I thanked them right away I told them I was mailing my applications before school starts and asked if that was okay on their time schedules. I informed my college counselors of who my "recommenders" were, and within two days of the time I asked each one, I handed each a packet with:</p>
<p>~The list of the colleges I am applying to with a note that they were in order of my top pick to my least favourite right now
~A note next to each school's name with whether it was reach, safety or match and the school's website
~A note next to each school about their comments on teacher recs (whether to write one's own letter, use the school's form, etc.)
~An organized and detailed list of my involvements from high school, grouped by type (Sports, ECs, summer experiences, academic honours, community), with the grade level I participated in and the amount of time on a regular basis and for how long I did so
~A very small amount of personal info (what I feel my main strength and weakness are, my life verse, etc.)
~The date I intend to mail my application by for each school
~My contact information</p>
<p>Attached were any forms the teachers would need. Check each school's website for any forms teachers will need to write recommendations. Most will have further instructions for teachers on the forms, addressing such things as whether the teacher should write a separate letter or just use the form. Since then, I have checked in with the teachers to confirm the timeline and to offer to clarify anything. </p>
<p>Theoretically, a teacher could use the same recommendation for different schools, but every school looks for different things. This is why I gave my teachers the information so early; they will take time to get a little familiar with what each school looks for in a rec and write for that particular school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response, Carpe Aeternum.</p>
<p>Any other takers?</p>
<p>My son asked two teachers at the beginning of his senior year to write his rec letters. (He was sorry he hadn't done it at the end of his junior year, as his favorite teacher moved away over the summer without leaving a forwarding address). In the fall, when he'd decided on his list of schools, he gave each teacher a large envelope that contained a form and an addressed envelope for each school. On each envelope, in pencil, he wrote the due date of the rec letter. Some schools had their own rec forms, others used the common application. We copied the common app recommendation form so that each envelope would have its own, but we figured the teachers would fill out one form and copy it themselves to send to each school. </p>
<p>He took the opposite approach of Carpe Aeternum: he purposely did NOT send his teachers his resumee or the schools in order of preference. He wanted the teachers to write equally strong letters to all the schools, and he wanted them to write of their specific experience with him in the their classes. Although my son's activity sheet is full of performances in music and drama, he thought it would work against him to have his chemistry teacher writing about what a good a pianist he is. He figured it was his guidance counselor's job to describe his total contribution, and up to the individual teachers to make a case for his intellectual curiosity, ability, and success in their classes.</p>
<p>He ended up sending two recs from school (chemistry and history teachers) and one from his piano teacher. He didn't give any forms to the piano teacher, just envelopes. And of course the guidance counselor.</p>
<p>If you do a search, you'll find zillions of posts with advice on letters of recommendation.</p>