• A good recommendation takes your teachers about two hours to write. Please give your teachers at least two weeks’ advance notice in order to give them time to prepare a good recommendation.
   
• Remember that some teachers, especially English teachers, write recommendations for many students. The more lead-time you can give them, the more they appreciate it.
   
• You can assume you can get a good recommendation from any teacher who agrees to write one. If there is any problem recommending you, the teacher will openly discuss that problem with you or refuse to write the recommendation.
   
• Make an appointment with your teacher so that you can discuss your choice of college, your career plans, your strengths and weaknesses as a student, etc.
   
• Most teachers write recommendations in the order in which they are received. If you (and others) wait until the last minute, your request will be met last.
   
• Provide your teacher with an addressed, stamped envelope and a copy of the recommendation form. Guidance counselors may request that your recommendation be kept on file in the guidance office.
   
• Make sure to fill in the heading of the teacher recommendation form. Make sure you sign in the appropriate place.
   
• If no teacher recommendation form is provided in your application packet, make sure to give your teacher the name of the admissions officer, name of the school, and school address.
   
• The same teacher may be willing to modify an application for several schools. Most of us have computers and can tailor one recommendation for different schools.
   
• It is appropriate to stop by to check with (or remind) your teacher as your deadline approaches.
   
• Take the advice of your guidance counselor regarding timelines and due dates. We are all here to help you but need you to work with us.
   
• Anyone who gives an hour or two of their time to insure that you may attend the college of your choice deserves to be thanked.
   
• When a college accepts you, it is a courtesy to notify the teachers who wrote your recommendations.
   

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