Recommendations

Image by Kasaa via Flickr

Recommendation letters are crucial to your application. If you get a strong recommendation letter, then it makes a good impression upon your application reviewer and so your chances increase.
Generally universities require 3 online recommendation letters. Earlier it used to be paper recos but now its mosly online.
Tip for Paper recos : If you are applying to 'n' universities, then get 'n+1' recommendation packets. Open one of them and you will know how good your reco is!
Give the details of three recommenders. No need to give more because the reviewers wouldn't have the time to read all four. As a matter of fact, 3 strong recos are better than 3 strong + 1 medium. Normally, the recommenders (also called evaluators) would give the recommendation letters directly but if they don't have the time or patience to write it down, then they can actually get it written from you.

Next : Writing Statement of Purpose