Recommendation Letters and Gap Year?

I will be graduating with my BA this May. I am leaning towards taking a gap year before heading to graduate school for my MSW. I just want to save money, pay off some of my undergrad debt, get some real work experience and also just take a small break from academics!

However, I’m not sure how to go about asking for a recommendation for graduate school once I am ready to apply? I would prefer to ask some former professors now, that way I am fresh in their mind, but I’m not sure if that’s the norm? Should I just wait until I am ready to apply or would it be okay to ask now? Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!

I would talk to your professors now and tell them your plan. Maybe you could request that they write a letter now while your work is fresh in their mind, and set it aside for when you contact them next year.