Teacher Recs Dilemma

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a junior, and I have a few questions regarding asking teachers for recs before school lets out for the summer.
1. Do I just ask if they'd be willing to write a recommendation letter and wait until the fall to give them the forms and stuff? What should I give/tell them before the summer? Should I have each teacher focus on a different aspect of my character? Do I flat-out say that or hint at it in some way?
2. I have one teacher I'm certain will write me a brilliant letter, but uncertain if I should ask my sophomore teacher. Even though it was two years ago, he tag-team teaches one of my classes (though it's the same class as the brilliant letter teacher). Does he still count as one of my teachers? But is it frowned down upon to get two recs from the same subject (let alone the same class)? However, I can use him as a supplemental rec since he was an ex-club adviser that I'm pres of and I still go to him to talk.
3. But then that leaves the problem of finding another real teacher rec. I can ask my debate teacher (who was also my english 10 teacher) for one, but he's only a semester teacher who's been out for half of this semester. Plus, even though he and I get along very well, he refused to recommend me for AP English and I took it this year despite of that. Will that play negatively in any way? I probably shouldn't ask my math or science teachers since I'm not doing to hot in those classes; the only science teacher I like is my bio teacher whom I still greet in the hallways.
4. Or should I wait until senior year and get the other teacher rec from my physics teacher? He'll probably write me an excellent rec, since he was the ex-adviser of science olympiad and personally asked me if I'm taking his class next year. We get along pretty well too, but I've never really been that close to him.</p>

<p>Oh and do the teachers write separate recs for each college or is it the same but with a different name? I'll probably be applying to eight colleges and don't want to cause a burden on them.</p>

<p>Sorry for so many questions! Thanks for answering!</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>You can ask senior year if you really want to. I asked the day before my application was due... Yes, I'm a slacker, and a buffoon, I know. Don't give them any forms until senior year, because they might need to be from the proper year (i.e.: the year is written atop the form)</p></li>
<li><p>It is frowned upon to get recommendations from two teachers in the same subject. Try to get one math/science and one english/history.</p></li>
<li><p>Depending on who your first rec is, you might want to go for the English or Physics teacher, following #2.</p></li>
<li><p>Teachers usually fill out the forms they are given and write one single letter afterwards which they send to every school.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Give them a heads up now before the fall, and maybe a brag sheet.You can make suggestions on what to focus on. Ask brilliant teacher, and probably senior (physics teacher if he already knows you and can mention specific olympiad info?) instead of the other. I believe because they're writing many recommendations it would be the same, but could depend on the teacher.</p>