<p>I've actually posted this on the common app forum, but no one seems to be responding. If anyone can help, I'll really appreciate it, thanks!!</p>
<p>I've been looking through the preview of the common app, for the coming year. However I've some doubts regarding the section on recommendations.
1. How does the recommendation system work? Do I have to pass the particular page of my common app to the teachers I want recommendation from?
2. Do they use the space on the app to write recommendations? Isn't the space provided too small? (it's only a couple of lines)
3. Or can my teacher just type out the recommendation on a separate document and pass it to me?
4. Must the teacher or school send the recommendation directly to the colleges I'm applying or can they pass them to me such that I can attach them to my app and send it independently?
5. Also, is there a suggested or typical length of recommendations? Like how Many words or pages, etc? </p>
<p>Also one last thing was, as for the common app itself, should I send a hardcopy printed to the colleges I'm applying or is it online? And if it's online, how can I send in my recommendations? (assuming the recommendations are supposed to be printed in hard copy) </p>
<p>I would appreciate if anyone could help me, because I'm an international so I'm not too familiar with the app. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>I have no idea how to answer your question. I am sorry! This is one of the many things I am confused about as well so I hope somebody will answer this soon! </p>
<p>If I do not know by the time the next school year begins I am going to go into my counselor and ask her to explain this one to me though, so that may be a good idea for you to try as well, if you have a semi-helpful counselor.</p>
<p>I’ll try to keep it simple. First ask your teachers and counselor if they will be able to write a recommendation for you and give them your resume . Ask your teachers/counselor how they prefer to submit their recommendation: online or a paper form.</p>
<p>If they prefer online: on the common application school form enter their email address and the common application will send them an email requesting their recommendation in your behalf. There will be a link on the email and they just need to follow the instructions.</p>
<p>If they prefer to submit a paper form, do not list their email (so colleges know it will be snail mail). Print the school form and give it to your teacher/counselor with an addressed and stamped envelope that they can just drop off at the post office.</p>
<p>Your questions:
1- read above
2 and 3- They should write no more than one page letter and they can attach it to the school form. Online they will have enough space to write the letter.
4- It’s up to your school how they want to send it. If they are not submitting online they can just mail it directly in the envelope you gave them. Or (since you are international) you can ask them to sign across the envelope seal and you mail all the recommendations, and extra material together in a bigger envelope.
5- No more than one page.</p>
<p>Regarding your application you should send it online. Colleges know that some recommendations and transcript will be send by snail mail. They will put all the material from your application together as they receive it. Try to submit as much as you can online, you probably will have to mail your transcript.</p>
<p>One more thing, on the Common Ap you will be able to see when the email was sent to your teacher/counselor and also when the colleges download it.</p>