<p>Hi all, I'm an int'l from Vietnam. I'm applying to eight schools this year; doesn't sound like too many, does it? Problem is, it's a pain to make my teacher write eight conscientious, full-length recs BY HAND. I have no idea how people do it in the US, but I'm pretty stuck, and the EA deadline is closing in. Is it alrite if they just type the recs out and sign on them, or write one rec by hand and photocopy the rest? If typing is the choice, the ticking thing must be sacrificed. Such a plight! Will anyone please help me out? If I make it to Uncle Sam with your help you'll be amply rewarded :D</p>
<p>Please...did I offend you in any way? Isn't this a perfectly innocent question..or is it too stupid?</p>
<p>miaoling - RELAX! :-)</p>
<p>I don't think 8 schools is too many. I've heard were some people apply for as few as 3 - and as many as 16!</p>
<p>COPIES OF LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ARE FINE!
In my son's high school, the student requests a teacher to write a Letter of Recommendation for them. The teacher does so (hopefully :-)), and then supplies one copy to the Guidance Department. All students are to have their college applications go through the Guidance Department at my son's school, so that when a student submits an application (with the app fee), Guidance then MAKES A COPY of the Letters of Recommendation, along with copies of a resume (if supplied to Guidance by the student), transcript, standardized score card, etc.</p>
<p>There was one college my son applied to that their information stated that the student was to have 2 teachers fill out the college's Teacher Evaluation form. We felt bad having to go back to the teachers who'd -taken the time to write such wonderful letters - and then go and also fill out a form - so, I'd called that particular college and they told me that a copy of letter was fine - instead of their Evaluation form.</p>
<p>It is perfectly acceptable - and probably very common, for those items to be COPIED :-)!</p>
<p>Thanks Lelalellen, that's what I call relief:-) So you just ran off a couple of copies without authentic signatures and your S/D still got in? This matters so much to me b/c here in VN the kids have to do everything by themselves. Teachers are still unfamiliar with the stuff. So my course now is probably to make two teachers write two recs, copy the recs and enclose the ticked paper? Thanks again:-)</p>
<p>Hi Miaoling... I'm glad I could help you relax!</p>
<p>In my son's school, the school (Guidance Department) sends out everything - and they make the copies. Many colleges request that certain information come directly FROM the HIGH SCHOOL itself, or the TEACHERS THEMSELVES - not from the students. In your situation, perhaps the teachers could make the copies and send them out directly...If not - if you end up having to send them out, I'm sure colleges in this country have some kind of understanding of how things are handled from other countries. If possible, perhaps you could call the colleges and explain your situation. I'm sure most, if not all, will be helpful and understanding in your situation!! Best of luck!!</p>
<p>Yeah Lelalellen, you certainly know how to handle things. Thxxxxx and best of luck!</p>
<p>Hi Father/Mother Lelalellen and everyone else, just a few minor stuff. If photocopies are alrite, will typed copies be even neater? Just that a handwritten page will look rather obscured after being copied.
Another thing: do colleges prefer informal or formal language in recs? Are contractions like 's, 'm, 're etc. alrite? Just so the recs won't sound too stiff.</p>
<p>(mother) lelalellen - :-)</p>
<p>I'm assuming that when you refer to "typed copies" you mean duplicates generated from a computer? If that is the case, I see no real difference between that and "photcopies" other than, as you said, they would "be even neater."</p>
<p>As for your second question regarding "informal or formal language" being used in the recs... I have no idea! I am hoping someone else will step in and advise you... BUT, if you are able to call the colleges (admissions department) and explain that you are an international student, I'm sure they will be able to help and guide you. Miaoling, I would venture to say that colleges understand that when dealing with students outside the USA, things in other countries are done differently...I would be willing to bet that most colleges in the USA will help you and work with what you have available! :-)</p>
<p>Yoo-hoo, you're a cool mother:)
You've just influenced my app very significantly:D</p>
<p>i think my teacher types out the thing and stuck it on the space above the ticking boxes...</p>
<p>they're very nice people, though some of them will make you cry in April. call and ask and you'll get help. they want you to apply, after all. :)</p>