<p>Especially at the beginning of the year for early decision; is there an average time span that teachers take for college recs, if so when should we give/tell them about our recs?
Then for not early decision, how long should you give teachers for recs?</p>
<p>sorry if this seems unclear, just post a reply if you don’t understand and wish to help! :]</p>
<p>Be sensitive that they are being asked to write many recs. I think it is prudent to give them a month. Include a cover sheet w/ a thank you, why their rec is special to you, and deadlines along with any supplemental data they requested when you asked if they would write a rec (and of course stamped addressed envelopes and forms w/ your part filled out). Follow up w/ a hand written thank you.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>As soon as you know which teachers you want to write recs and what schools you want them to write recs for, you should let them know and give them the forms. You probably want this to be a month at minimum.</p>
<p>A well-timed follow-up is always a good practice. If you have asked the teacher in plenty of time for the rec, then 3-4 weeks before application deadline, if you haven’t gotten a confirmation from the teacher that his/her rec went in, just stop by for a brief “chat” with him/her and casually mention how much you appreciate their rec.</p>
<p>That will get you the response you’re looking for, either “I sent it out last week” or “I’m writing it this weekend.” If you get the latter response, then make a note to stop by for another chat in a week. This will most likely assure you that the rec will go in without looking like a pest or risking a forgotten rec.</p>
<p>The earlier that you ask the better because teachers have very heavy workloads including having to write recommendations for many students. Consequently, some students will ask teachers during late spring of their junior year, giving teachers the summer to write the recc.</p>
<p>As for when you should expect the teachers to finish the recc, the recc needs to be done by the time that your earliest college app is due. Just as students wait until the last minute to complete their apps, teachers do the same with their reccs, so it’s not a big deal if a week before the due date the teacher hasn’t sent the recc in. I suggest reminding teachers about the due date a week before your earliest recc is due, and then follow-up about 3 days before the recc is due. </p>
<p>You can do this by directly asking if they’ve had a chance to write the recc, and if there’s any information that you can provide that would help them.</p>
<p>BTW: Adcoms know teachers are busy, so tend to be tolerant with late teacher reccs. Colleges aren’t as tolerant with late applications by students.</p>
<p>The info that colleges look for in teacher reccs is details about your character your performance in classes and organizations that the teacher advised. Consequently, it’s a big help to teachers when you give them copies of excellent papers or exams you did for their class, and when you also remind them of your accomplishments in activities they advice.</p>
<p>Just giving them a resume won’t help much as the colleges want info about things that the teacher was directly involved in with you.</p>
<p>Remember, too, to give all recommenders a hand written thank-you note after they send your recc. Take the time, too, to let them know as colleges accept you.</p>
<p>1-1.5 months regular
2 weeks minimum</p>
<p>Someone I know asked for a rec one day before ED, and was forced to write his own rec signed by the teacher(and did very well in admission).</p>