Many colleges will require two or three recommendation from high school teachers, coaches, guidance counselors or others who know you in an academic, extra-curricular or leadership capacity. Admissions officers rely on letters of recommendation to round out and confirm their picture of you as a candidate.

• Choose Carefully: Cultivate good relationships with your guidance counselor, teachers, coaches, employers and others who can recommend you highly.

• Ask Early: Approach potential letter-writers at least 5 to 8 weeks before the recommendation due-date (maybe even as early as the end of Junior year). Explain your college goals and ask if the person would be willing to write a positive recommendation for you. Many teachers and guidance counselors receive numerous requests, so ask early and give them plenty of time.

• Brief Your Recommenders: Help those writing your recommendations by giving them a copy of your resume along with some "writing points". These materials will help them compose a thoughtful and comprehensive recommendation. Make sure to provide stamped envelopes properly addressed to your colleges -- along with a master list of schools and dates that the recommendations are due.

• Track the Deadlines: Be sure to follow-up. Teachers and counselors are extremely busy, especially toward the end of fall semester.

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