<p>Hi, I'll be finishing up my junior year next week, and I'm wondering when people generally asking teachers for letters of rec for the following year, in preparation for college apps. Do most people ask before summer starts, in order to give that teacher enough notice, or is it too early that you'd risk them forgetting? I have a pretty good idea of which teachers I'm asking, but I don't want to catch them off guard or anything. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Ask them now</p>
<p>If you know just whom you want to ask, do it now. Ask them if they would like you to provide any additional information, such as a resume, to refresh their memories about who and what you are. You may always send them a gentle reminder in September, but it’s a nice way to end the year, and they can’t accuse you of failing to give them enough time.</p>
<p>My daughter asked her teachers in May and received the most amazing letters. She gave them a copy of her resume and a questionnaire telling then what she wanted them to highlight. Give the teacher time so that they can really put effort in. Don’t wait til fall. They will be short and generic then.</p>