Most public colleges and universities in Texas don't require applications, but recommend or will accept two letters.
However, if you have the option to apply "test optional," recommendation letters are preferred or required.
Some private colleges and out of state public ones may require them. Always, always check each university's application checklist on the website to see if recommendations are required or accepted and if your recommendation needs to come from a particular teacher (such as an academic teacher instead of an elective teacher) or another type of adult.
Most colleges prefer recommendations from adults who know your from an academic, extracurricular, volunteer, or work setting. This can include teachers, club/organization sponsors, coaches, employers, religious leaders.
Special Note for UT Austin: As of 4/1/2024, UT has said it prefers recommendation letters for Fall 2025 applicants from people who know them outside of the school setting.
At least three weeks before the letter needs to be submitted, ask each person you wan to write a letter if they will do so.
For colleges that require a counselor recommendation letter, you should complete the Letter of Recommendation Request Form. Your responses will be shares in an email with the person you list as your recommender. You will also receive an email with your responses.
For other recommenders, you can share your Recommendation Request responses with them or you can create your own Brag Sheet. See the second page of Tips for Letters of Recommendation from the College Board for helpful questions to answer on your Brag Sheet.
Let your recommender know how their letter will be submitted. For all Common App schools, the letter will be uploaded directly to Common App by the recommender. Schools not using Common App may have a way for letters to be uploaded electronically, or the may need be sent through email or USPS.
NOTE: Your counselor will only submit a recommendation letter to colleges that require a counselor recommendation.
Send each person who writes a recommendation for you a short thank you note.