<p>Questions:</p>
<p>(A) When is the best time to ask teachers for recommendations?
(B) When do colleges usually post recommendation forms online?
(C) Should I ask before the summer, so that teachers have plenty of time to complete them?
(D) What makes a stellar recommendation letter?</p>
<p>This is just in my opinion and what personally worked for me, but I'm sure there are variations on the theme. :) </p>
<p>(A) I asked my teachers at the beginning of the school year. The first couple of weeks aren't as busy because there isn't much to grade and nobody stays for tutoring yet. (As told to me by my AP teachers at least.) Whenever you decide to ask, it seriously needs to be at least 2 weeks before you need it.
(B) The earliest I saw was in mid-late August. If you're lucky, the schools might put it up sooner. Usually they stay the same from year to year but change the date.
(C) I'd let your teachers you're asking know that you'll be asking them in the fall. It lets them know that they need to be thinking about it and then when you bring the forms and what not, they'll be ready and can get it all done quickly. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to write me a letter of recommendation in the fall." But others might have experience with asking before summer...so listen to them.
(D) Someone who knows you inside and out will always write you a wonderful letter. Someone who's seen you struggle and rise to stardom, someone that sees you every day and you never get tired of talking to them and vice versa, someone that introduces the fascinating things in life to you and is fascinated by the things you have to say about them. If you think they think highly of you, chances are, they do.</p>