How to send recommendation letters?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I’m filling out applications for Tufts, Georgetown, GWU, LMU, Tufts, and USF, but the recommendation section is proving to be somewhat confusing. Since each school wants something different (form, letter, form + letter), how do I structure my email request for a recommendation from professors? Do I ask one professor to fill out all 3 forms/write one letter to send to 4 schools, or do I ask one professor per application?</p>

<p>Also, what do I say is the deadline for the recommendation letters to be sent out? Is it the general application deadline, or should it be like a month before?</p>

2

<p>One instructor can write a letter that goes to several schools. So, depending on the maximum number (usually 2) of LORs that a school wants, that’s how many instructors you ask. Here’s the order of what I’d do:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Look at the websites for those colleges. What you should check for is how many LORs they want and who can send a LOR (just a prof or can TAs too?). Don’t all the schools you listed but maybe LMU use the CA? All CA schools should be the same as far as forms, but they may vary in who they consider an instructor and how many they want. </p></li>
<li><p>For CA schools you will have to fill out and sign the top part of the Instructor Evaluation form and give one hard copy to each instructor. They can then fill out the rest of the form, make as many copies as necessary, attach their letter, sign each form, put in an envelope, seal the envelope, and sign their signature half on the flap and half on the body of the envelope.</p></li>
<li><p>You provide the envelope which you either address to the school and provide postage, or the instructor returns the envelope to you and you do the mailing.</p></li>
<li><p>If there are other school forms that are different, you need to follow their instructions and use these same general steps.</p></li>
<li><p>You might just want to ask the instructor if they could have the LOR ready in say a month. They should be in by the application deadline, but can be sent earlier if they’re done.</p></li>
</ol>