counselor letter vent

Parent Cafe
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<p>" I, on the other hand, might be tempted to take the assignment less seriously: Top student in his class! Best student I have seen in my career! Most challenging curriculum of anyone at his level at our school! When he goes to college, a big piece of our school’s heart will go with him, and will never be replaced! "</p>

<p>LOL. LOL. LOL.</p>

<p>Grin. No, I have some more specific examples that I have used in my draft like when a boy from our town died in Iraq, they had the funeral at our church to accomodate all the people. He did not know this boy but ran the sound and power point during the funeral. Honestly, no one even knew he was there. He didn’t talk to a soul, but just that small act of making sure the pictures, videos, and song words worked well was his part. I will talk about how he is the one everyone looks to at youth when they get to a camp. He’s got the schedule all ready with a map and so he can tell them where they need to be and when. Will he ever organize people of his own free will? No, but he cannot stand to be disorganized or to not know exactly what is happening when. If he has a project that is due, he gets it done the week before so he won’t be rushed. Honestly, he reminds me of deadlines… Thanks for the ecouragement. We’re looking at Baylor, TCU, LeTourneau, Louisiana Tech and UT Dallas. ( Last three are safeties, I guess.) I know it wouldn’t fly for Harvard or Yale, but he has absolutely no interest in Ivies. He could care less about prestige… The boys came home from youth the other night. (They are the only homeschoolers at our church.) Everyone was talking about some brand of shoe that they HAD to have. My boys could not understand it… A shoe is a shoe. Why would you pay more for one just for a name??</p>

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<p>momknowsbest3, I think you are well on your way!</p>

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<p>I fully agree with the notion that a letter for TCU might be less important than for more selective schools. It remains, however, that every opportunity to present a candidate in the best light should be seized. </p>

<p>On a personal level, I would like to read a letter that contains the words used by the OP. But I am not evaluating students to form a class of freshmen. Adcoms tend to look for the angular student or that little something that makes someone memorable. The issue here is one that borrows from that adage about showing and not telling.</p>

<p>Industrious? Describe a project the student stuck with for a long time and perhaps describe the quest for perfection in his assignment.</p>

<p>No earth shattering accomplishments? Not a problem as few really can claim them! But, what about … interests? There ought to be something that makes the son tick? What does he want to study at TCU and why? Does this match any of his long term interests. </p>

<p>IMHO, homeschoolers are unique and should be able to present a compelling image of this (still) unique experience. What you want is to help the reader remember your son as the kid who DID this or that. That should come from a vivid example that shows something special or simply different. And special is entirely relative in this context.</p>

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<p>If Lao Tzu is a bit too… existential? Feel free to quote Harry Truman -</p>

<p>“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”</p>