<p>Is there a difference? And if they handwrite them, would they just send copies of it to other schools?</p>
<p>That depends on the colleges. Some colleges may want it mailed directly from your HS and some may want it sent online. Check with each college that you are applying to. In addition, you’ll need to provide a list of schools to your teacher.</p>
<p>Most schools want electronic submissions unless stated otherwise.</p>
<p>No one wants hand written. Typed at a minimum.
If you do the Common App they have links to online systems so the teachers can submit online. Colleges prefer online if you high school does it.</p>