<p>I don't want to pressure my teachers into hastily writing recommendations for me. So i want to give them enough time as possible. However, I know that the sooner i turn my apps in the greater my chances are. So should i send my application first? Or should i tell them i want to apply early.</p>
<p>If you ask a teacher to write a recommendation in the first place, they realize you're on a deadline, of some sort. You probably want to mention to those teachers you'd like/need a recommendation from for the school you're applying early to, that you're applying early. I would generally give a teacher a month to complete the recommendation. Regardless, schools generally require the recommendation letter be in a separate sealed envelope with the teacher's signature across the closure (basically as a sign that you haven't seen it). You can send in your whole app. before the recommendation is in, though schools say they won't begin to look at the application until the final required piece of information is in, they generally do. Believe me, they want to complete the process as quickly and painlessly as you do.</p>