Friends, I dont want to waste time your time by posting a question thats already answered. So I searched the forum thoroughly but cudnt get my answers, here are my questions :-

1) I am working for the second largest software company in the world for 27 months as a software engineer. I am expecting a promotion but not in the very near future. So If i am going to apply for fall 2009, I may still be as a software engineer only, whereas if I apply for spring 2009, I may be senior software engineer by that time. So my questions is :-

a) My understanding is that designation may be of some value for me in both admission and during the placement time? Am i right or is there any flaw in this ?

b) Which do you ppl think is better for me fall 2009 or spring 2009?

2) How long is the recommendation letters valid?

Say I have a reco letter from head of department, which is now two years old and another reco letter from my senior colleague which also got old by a year. DO aging letters diminish its value or should I ask them for a new reco with latest dates? (getting this is quite tough for me now)



Thanks Thanks Thanks in advance