<p>Hi,
On the plus side, I'd like to note that all my actual apps are due in by the 15 of November, so then I can stop harrassing all you nice parents (but seriouly, thanks a ton of guiding me through this rat's nest of a process. It really does mean a ton to me. I feel like I owe you guys all thank you notes or something.)</p>
<p>Now on to a couple of last minute questions that came across as I was filling out me EA application:
I am completing my Gold Award (Eagle Scout equivalent) and will almost definitely submit it before December 1. If I do that, I'll probably hear back by mid-December. Many parents had advised me to list the tenative dates on my app and then send in an update. However, I am worried that they will "hold" my app for review until mid-December and then there would be less spaces and it would be harder to get in. My parents think I can get in without the GA mentioned, but I know said school is very competitive and I consider it a reach. (Statistically, I'm slightly above the 75th percentile for scores, but I'm worried I'm not "well rounded enough" for them.)</p>
<p>Also, do unpaid internships count as "work experience?" In my case, the job was literal work, not shadowing, but I still wasn't paid.</p>
<p>Finally, would it be a bad idea to list NHS on my app (under "academic awards") if only seniors are allowed to join at my HS?</p>
<p>You can list the Gold Award as pending. You will not need to worry about sending an update and I am sure your app will not be held up due to a pending award. Definitely list unpaid internships. I don't see any problem listing this as work experience.</p>
<p>Agree with edad on all counts. Not sure what you mean by listing NHS if only Srs. join? Do you mean you haven't been inducted yet? But you know you will be - ie, you've been accepted?</p>
<p>NHS is considered by most to not be that big a deal to colleges anyway, so don't worry about it. But if you know for sure you've been accepted, then list it.</p>
<p>DO mention the GA award as pending, it will not hold up your ap. Colleges are very used to the fact that kids lives and recognitions are ongoing...so many competitions and recognitions take place just after ap deadlines. If they held up every ap like that, they'd never be able to move their decision processes forward!</p>
<p>My daughter listed her Gold Award as "pending" and, because her project was in an area which was important to her overall application (ie: she had coursework and other volunteer activities in this field), she did list a brief description of what it was. She wasn't actually awarded the GA until this past summer, after HS graduation. Colleges know that these are substantial, ongoing projects, and it is your long-term committment to Girl Scouting that is equally as important. Update it in a letter only if it seems appropriate and timely--that is, perhaps you'll have other things to update (you don't want to send too much extra information to schools). In addition, it might become a talking point during an interview. Good luck, and congratulations (in advance) on this substantial achievement--wait until you see all the letters of recognition you get when you're done!</p>
<p>I went back and re-read everything, and I just wanted to tell you not to list NHS now. It's not that important, and it's probably obvious that your school awards it later. Also, I don't know about your school's selection process, but it's probably not 100% guaranteed. Something else that is guaranteed (for example AP awards for which there is a long lag between knowing you've qualified and the actual letter) you could list as "expected", because it could be verified easily--not so with NHS.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice... I guess all I can do now is work on my other apps and wait. It's really stressful because I feel like this is the only shot I get, and I've worked so hard for all of this.</p>
<p>The Gold Award is a major accomplishment that can only increase your chances for acceptance even at reach schools. List it as pending. Just the fact that you are working on it will boost your chances. You haven't graduated yet, have you? But you put down the expected date of graduation. A friend's D wanted to go to the Air Force Academy, had the stats, grades, recs, etc., and was rejected. She did call and talk to the adcom and was told that if she had not stopped at Silver Award, and showed that she was working on Gold Award, she probably would be accepted. So it is a major big deal that you CANNOT omit.</p>