<p>I've seen posts on here where people apply for transfer at several schools - as many as 4 or more. In high school when everyone's applying to 8+ schools it's not a big deal to hand a teacher a pile of recommendations - they're used to it. What is it like in college trying to get many recommendations from a professor? Do they consider this unusual? It's not a big deal, I admit, because if you know someone well enough to ask for a LOR, it'd most likely be a "slightly awkward" situation rather than a "will they do them" situation, but still, I'm curious if anyone has any experiences with this.</p>
<p>Honestly I never found it awkward to ask for a letter of rec. If you're a good student and doing well in the class, participating, etc... just ask the teacher if they wouldn't mind writing you one. Most know what you are going through and will do it for you... just make sure to thank them afterwords and let them know if you get in :) If there are lot of letters to write... just spread it around, ask a few teachers for a couple, another a couple... etc... I know, it's a pain in the ass, but most teachers really want to see their students excel, so they'll do it.</p>
<p>My S had almost a dozen apps. True, the prof was especially understanding as his was a "forced" transfer due to Tulane's elimination of his major after Katrina. Although you might want to "spread it around" as mrpuppy suggests, you wouldn't want to do that if it meant lower quality recommendations.</p>
<p>So, just make it as easy as possible for your recommending professors. Let them know about how many schools you will apply to (if it seems a lot, just share why-eg, you want to be sure of a good option/have safeties as well as reaches etc); ask them if there are any special things you can do to make it easier. The prof will basically be able to use the same rec for each school, with occasional tweaking for a couple schools which might insist on a special form (most don't).</p>
<p>Give the prof stamped self-addressed envelopes. Write the deadline for each school lightly in pencil on each envelope. If any school insists on its own rec form, paper-clip that to the envelope. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Can they just write one recommendation for you then you send that to each school or do you have to tell them each school you are applying to? I am assuming there aren't any guidance counselors in college...</p>
<p>How is it possible to 'spread it around' for people applying as a time sophmore transfer? They will have only had 3-6 classes by the the deadlines come around...and if you need two recs, which I assume is standard, and you only got to know a few of the teachers...well...</p>
<p>It'd be great if you could just get one rec and copy it and send it. Will schools accept that or is it the same sealed-envelope type deal that the first-year apps are?</p>
<p>they won't accept that likely...right? is there a guidance type figure (i.e. maybe advisor) who can collect all of the teacher recs then do it for them, so they don't have to go through the trouble...?</p>
<p>I agree that "spreading it around" is iffy. I really don't know how many schools require the "sealed envelope" approach for transfer recommendations. They do seem to require that official transcripts go that way.</p>
<p>I also think there usually isn't a guidance type figure to do the packaging.</p>
<p>Still, the profs probably basically do one rec and use it for all or almost all of your schools. Remember, we are in the computer age - so they likely do it in Word and print it out for each school.</p>
<p>Truly, I think the best way to handle it is to
1. ask the prof to be your recommender
2. tell him/her approximately how many schools you will apply to
3. ask him/her what is easiest
a. providing stamped, addressed envelopes for each school?
b. handing you the rec for you to mail?
c. whichever method you/prof choose, allow for schools which might be a bit more sticklerish and have a special form.</p>
<p>Most profs will be understanding, so long as you give them enough time, show that you want to make it as easy as possible and have a set of schools which appears to make sense and won't be a waste of their time.</p>