Letters of Recommendation Questions

<p>I am currently a Junior and I have several questions about Letters of Recommendation:
1. If I want letters from this year's teachers, should I ask before summer break? I would think they would like having the time, instead of waiting till Fall when they are all so busy.
2. Do my teachers just write a letter for me, or does it have to be on an official college form that I get from the websites of the various colleges I want to apply to?
3. If 2008 Applications aren't online till late summer, will the recommendation forms be the same, or do I have to wait for those to come out?
4. I know you're supposed to supply your teacher with addressed, stamped envelopes, etc., but what if I'm not sure about all my college choices before summer? Can I add another one in the Fall and hope they saved my letter on their computer?</p>

<p>You can ask the teachers now so they know that you need a letter from them. However, you cannot give them this years forms, as the forms will be different, since I believe the year is written atop each form.</p>

<p>There is a form to fill out(all teachers must do so), and some teachers will just fill out that form... but those are the teachers you might want to stay away from... Go for a teacher who knows you well, and can write a page full of good things.</p>

<p>Since your college list is likely to change during senior year (mine did alot), you shouldn't have them send the letters out until then... So you can ask them as a warning this year(maybe they'll write the letter now), and then as soon as possible after school starts (especially if you're doing early applications), go and speak to them again about it, and bring them the envelopes, etc.</p>

<p>Personally, I completely screwed up this process... I asked one teacher the day before the first application was due... and I asked the second teacher the week after that... Don't be like me.</p>