wingnut: great idea to ask for the general backup school letter also! Hadn't thought of that.
My son gave each person who wrote a letter a packet with:
1. Explanation of why he needed the letter, the process, and why he chose that person. (i.e. Eagle Scout project sponsor: please emphasize leadership on the project)
2. Resume
3. Specific instructions AND deadline:
Congressman, name, address, addressed envelope, label with your name/ssn
Senator#1, name, address, addressed envelope,label with your name/ssn
Senator#2, name, address, addressed envelope,label with your name/ssn
with MOC letter, include something like ....recommend for a nomination to academy XYZ...
Academy Admissions, address, addressed envelope,label with your name/ssn
with Academy admissions letter, include something like.... recommend for an appointment to academy XYz
(you can include VP here if needed, addressed envelope, label with your name/ssn)
(5 copies of general schools letter of recommendations, blank envelope. take out the nomination and appointment parts of the letter included in MOC and Academy letters above! labels with your name/ssn )
4. ask teacher to put label with your full name and ssn in the upper right corner of your letter.
5. On the back of each envelope put a line across the flap, so the teacher can sign once the envelope is sealed (include this on instructions)*one of the MOC asked for this, so decided to put it on all the envelopes.
6. On the return address part of each letter put teacher's name c/o your name and address
7. Large envelope for teacher to put all of these letters in, addressed to you....either pick it up or have them mail it to you. (include postage, fedex preferred)
Now, you can wait for all of these letters and send them in in one batch with you applications....then you know what has been sent and follow up with those that you have not received.
Put in alot of thought, make it extremely organized and easy for them and they will get it done quickly.
Son's teachers all returned within 2 weeks and he was collecting these from our town in Texas, Singapore and Vietnam.