<p>OP, DS goes to a fairly competitive private school with a very proactive college counseling office as well. The GC was fairly lukewarm about DS’ application list - his test scores are high, but his GPA not so much (classic underachiever profile). Naviance predicted a number of the schools would be real reaches. DS went ahead with 11 apps - he’s been admitted to 10 (he was deferred in EA to #11, and hasn’t heard a final decision yet - but decided he didn’t want to go there anyhow). He’s gotten very good merit aid offers from a number of those reaches. He got admitted to what everyone thought would be the safety…with zero merit aid.</p>
<p>I think while the GC is great, he doesn’t know DS that well and, in particular, underestimated how strong DS’ recs and essays would be, as well as a particular academic passion he has that was a good fit for several of the schools. So don’t be afraid to color outside the GC’s lines. If he’s inclined to give you a lukewarm rec (but your others are good), he’s probably done the same to others over the years, Georgetown will know that’s what’s going on and can read between the lines (given that it’s a private school that builds relationships with selective schools like Georgetown).</p>