I hope this is okay, I'll put them in a numbered list to make them easier.

1. Some of the programs I'm applying to have rolling admissions. I plan to apply to these programs early (June/July/August.) How soon should I be asking potential recommenders if they will write me a letter?

2. In my initial contact what should I send them to ask if they will write me a letter? Term paper etc?

3. Will my recommenders expect to see all my SOP's? Different programs ask for different things, for example one program wants a max of 700 words then other a max of five pages :/

4. I go to school online and live internationally. Can most recommendations be submitted online? If not should I send the forms to my recommenders but then how will I cover postage to get the letters to the schools?

5. One school asks for a certification of finance in the application. I will hopefully be getting funding from the school but it asks me to attach the award letter. So do I have to submit the certification AFTER I am accepted? (Assuming I get in?)

6. One school asks for an abstract of courses. I've listed all the courses in my major (Poli Sci) this is fine and then it asks for an abstract of relevant courses. I've only taken three more courses in the social sciences, so is it appropriate to list Humanities (mostly religion,) law and/or history courses?

7. One program asks for an LOR from a personal or professional reference. I work in an admin office for some builders... somehow I don't think they're well versed in writing LOR's! Is it appropriate to ask someone I have TA-ed for with disabled children to write me a letter bearing in mind I taught them art and they were aged between 5 and 13?

Thanks for all your help xxx