<p>As absent says, it depends on the person writing the rec as to how much info they need to prompt them. The colleges will already be getting all your scores, etc. So the recs are not about that stuff, they’re about another dimension of you that the teachers can write about. However, a short synopsis might be helpful as they try to remember how many classes you ended up taking from them or what that project was that you worked so hard on.</p>
<p>If you are going to see these folks in person, I suggest preparing a small folder for them. In it, put a note from you thanking them for agreeing to write your recs and then telling them what schools need those recs. You can include here an abbreviated resume if you think they’d like it. Then, list each school, date the rec is due, and where to mail it. Then, prepare a large 8 x 10 envelope for each school with the address on it of where the rec is to be sent, put a $1 stamp on it and your school’s return address (not yours).
Obviously you don’t do the envelopes for those writing recs online.</p>
<p>For your advisor, it’s not critical to use the Common App form if you have others who are. Just be sure to get the Common App number off your form and put that on your note to him and ask him to include it in his letter. Otherwise that letter will never make it into your file.</p>