<p>99cents - I agree that starting early can be key. My D had all her requests for recs to her teachers ready the first week of school. Most were surprised and one commented that she hadn’t planned doing recs until Thanksgiving break. My D asked nicely that she try to get them done before then since she wanted everything for all apps done in October. The only teacher who dragged a bit was her high school voice teacher - but he came around. The rec from her private voice teacher probably mattered more anyway.</p>
<p>Our large Public HS gives the kids the sealed transcripts to mail directly to the schools, and our daughter also has a college transcript for a summer course, so we mailed them together, along with her arts supplement material.
She used certified mail, so she would have a postcard showing recipt by the school - just be be sure. </p>
<p>One of the certified packages apparently never left our post office!! </p>
<p>When D noticed no return postcard, she called the college in mid-December - they told her to wait, as they have sooooo much mail to go through (not relevant, though - they would have signed for it if it arrived). I wish she had not had taken this advice, as we ended up dealing with this over x-mas break when her high school was closed. We had a bit of a freak-out when we realized all this stuff has somehow disappeared, so D wrote explanatory note, sent what she could again (eg, unsealed transcript from her files at home) - via Fed Ex - with a copy of the certified receipt. We confirmed delivery via Fed Ex. Our counselor called the school for us, and we got an “application complete” email - even though they only have an unsealed transcript and maybe no counselor rec??</p>
<p>Lesson learned - track everything from door to door!! Keep back-up copies of everything you can. AND realize that most schools have some flexibility and will forgive and adjust to things beyond your control.</p>
<p>We tried to get S to request recs from teachers and GC by first week of December. He did it on the last day of school before holiday. The only thing that kept me from wringing his neck was that the local college had already sent him an acceptance letter. At least he’s going SOMEWHERE! </p>
<p>Thanks to grouphug1 for the reminder about thank you letters. S WILL be writing those tomorrow. Monday will be first day back to school and the thank you’s should serve as a gentle reminder if recs haven’t been completed and sent…no way we’re making demands or nagging after such last minute requests!</p>
<p>I had to laugh as I proofread essays all day December 30. One was about how procrastinating got him a “D” on a project in middle school and changed him forever. :)</p>
<p>D requested her letters in mid-September. Her school only allows kids to ask two teachers so it was easy for these two teachers to simply make copies and send off additional recommendations inthe stamped addressed envelopes we provided. I stand in awe of our guidance department in handling the transcripts and GC report for so many applications so well. There is a very marked increase in the average number of applications kids are sending out and those folks are really straining to handle the work load. D kept checking in with them throughout the semester being careful to keep it polite. It’s definitely a complicated process.</p>
<p>Since both kids were applying ED we actually asked for recommendations the end of junior year.</p>
<p>We also told the GC and she prepared the folders in June when most of her work for the year was complete. She lavished extra time on each. Since she left for S’s senior year, a well deserved retirement, we were pleased that someone who actually knew him put together his folder.</p>
<p>Son was applying early action to two schools and basically had a complete list by October. My recollection is that he did all the teacher requests early in October. He’d spoken to one or both of the teachers about recommendations in the spring, but I don’t think it made much difference. The Latin teacher only had 5 students in AP and I don’t think the Physics AP teacher has that many requests either.</p>
<p>“She used certified mail, so she would have a postcard showing recipt by the school - just be be sure. One of the certified packages apparently never left our post office!!”</p>
<p>The “Item Received” postcards will give you the date item was received plus name of whoever accepted it (usually a secretary or clerk). You can usually get info quicker by entering the certified mail tracking number at the USPS Web Site. Just be aware that a few post offices only update certified mail status twice a month! You can guess how I know this. Fortunately the materials had been received on time.</p>
<p>DS talked to teachers at the end of junior year, contacted them the week before school by email to ask how they wanted him to make it easy for them. They were <em>very</em> appreciative.</p>