I’m in a pretty weird situation here. I’m applying to two HADES schools to repeat 11th, and I went to my guidance counselor today asking her for a recommendation (this was probably the 5th time I’ve talked to her during my high school career, and I am a junior, so we don’t have a close relationship by any means). When I asked her for a recommendation and told her I was applying to repeat junior year, gave me a weird look and told me that it was illegal and that she wouldn’t write me a recommendation. In addition, she told me that she doesn’t think it would be a good idea for me to repeat junior year. Obviously, I am already very deep into the admission process and I think repeating a year would be good for me, and I communicated this to the schools I am applying to. Should I email the admissions offices? What should I do about the recommendation? Even if she ends up agreeing to write the recommendation for me, it will probably be a terrible one and may even advise to decline me admission. Please help!!
Wow. Someone else would probably have better advice but I would start by calling (or having your parent call) your AO and explain that you are dealing with a counselor who thinks repeating junior year is against the law. Maybe send an email as well so the school has it in writing. I would think that would balance whatever was said later. Is there someone else who can write the rec? A different counselor, the principal? Anyone?
Hi, same thing (sort of) happened to me with my GC—they refused to do it, citing district policies. Call the AOs of your schools and speak to them, they’ll figure it out.
@dogsmama1997 Do you think it would be appropriate to email the head of admissions directly or should I email the general admissions email?
Like @CavsFan2003 said, you should call the admissions office to try and help sort this out. You can also ask your principal for a rec, if possible.
This is the difference between applying from a public school and applying from a private school. Public schools have no skin in the game. Private schools depend on their students getting into good secondary schools, so are more invested in the admissions process. I’m sure AOs are aware of this and can advise you on how to proceed.
@ThomasBr I would call the direct line of the person you interviewed with, if you interviewed at the school. If not then I’d call the general admissions #. Sorry you are dealing with this, sounds very stressful.
We are also applying from public school, no counselor so the principal does the recs and she once yelled at me (yeah, I’m the parent) in the hallway. Yup, a bit awkward.
Adding to what @vwlizard wrote, I’ve heard from many parents that this can be a difference between public and private schools, although it is likely based not just on a lack of skin in the game, but also on insufficient resources and underfunded schools in many areas of the country. I’m new to CC, and already appreciating all of the sharing and good info. @ThomasBr I hope you were able to sort the situation out. Perhaps you’ll update us.
@swparenting and anyone else who is interested - First I called the schools I’m applying to, they basically told me that I needed her for the transcript form, which includes some basic information about my current schools. After this, I got through to the guidance counselor by emailing the principal of my school (counselor was not too happy about that, but if I hadn’t, nothing would have been done). I’m sure it won’t be a glowing recommendation by any means, because she definitely has some resentment toward me, but my other two should be pretty good, and the schools should have the necessary info from the transcript form from her. Thanks for all your help!