How to Get a Recommendation Letter from Your Professor

1. Mark down when the letter's due. Then, get out a calendar and go 3 weeks before the due date.

That date will be the latest you should hand it in to a teacher. Many teachers will be asked to write multiple recommendations. That takes time; time you need to allow them to have.

2. Take the recommendation form, any questionnaires or other papers you need to give to your teacher, an envelope, a stamp, a paper (or label) with the university address and put them all into a folder with your name on it.
You'll need to give that to the teacher. It's practical and it shows that you've put some thought into it.

3. Pick out a teacher that likes you. Many people say pick out a teacher you like. I can say from personal experience that doesn't always work. There was a teacher I liked but, he didn't like me that much (for good reasons). He eventually declined writing me a recommendation letter.
The teacher should preferably one from the previous year. They know you best and will write more accordingly. Try to pick teachers from higher level courses. If you're going for an arts school, perhaps a AP art teacher?

4. Small chatter. Before asking the teacher for a favor, try to have some small chatter. Maybe even try having chatter for a couple of days. Anything goes when it comes to softening up their view of you.

5. Please and Thank you. Do I need to explain this? I hope not.

6. Wait a week before asking your teacher if he /she has written the letter yet (unless that teacher specifically told you to come back again).

7. If the teacher has any specific requests, do follow them.

8. If you see your teacher is having a rough day or is busy, don't go up to them. Wait some more.

What NOT to do:

1. Don't expect them to pay for stamps and envelope. It's a well known fact that teachers don't make a lot of money and I'm sure they don't want to spend it on something you are supposed to get.

2. Don't leave off as soon as the teacher agrees to write the letter.

3. Don't write joke answers on your questionnaire. Be very serious and honest. If your honest answer IS that you're joking, then be slightly less honest.

4. Don't ask a teacher to write a letter out of a dare (not even a personal dare). That could end up badly and the teacher might get offended.

5. Don't give them your package in the morning or during their lunch break. That's when they're most likely to lose your items and forget all about you.

6. Don't write clichés on the questionnaire. (e.g."he's the best teacher I've ever had")

7. Don't dress up. This isn't a job interview. (That doesn't mean you can dress like a slob though).