Counselor Recommendation

<p>Does the counselor actually have to write a recommendation letter like the teacher rec? I have a lazy counselor, and I don't think she did. Will this hurt my chances??? I mean, she filled out the form, but didn't attach the additional sheet for comments like it asks. What do you think?</p>

<p>At most college visits that I went on, the admissions staff said that they realize at some schools the counselors don't even know the students they're working with. It's probably not a big deal. So long as you've presented yourself well, I don't think it'll be a problem.</p>

<p>I'd call ND (or have your parents call - you're in school) and ask if they received the counselor letter of rec. If they didn't, I'd be sure to have my parents immediately call your high school and speak to the principal. There's no excuse for this.</p>

<p>Yeah, writing recommendations is the counselors job... what exactly does your counselor do this time of the year if she doesn't write recommendations.. Is she writing recommendations for your other schools..? because aren't they basically the same (except changing the school name/address of course..) But as TenBelow said, it's probably not too big of a problem as far as admissions is concerned, that is if your graduating class is huge... If you have a small class than ND might wonder why you don't have a written rec and will possibly call your school... but nonetheless I agree with docmom, it is your counselors job and you should make sure that proper action is taken..But if you are saying you have a lazy counselor and that is the excuse for no written rec, then you and your parents should complain heavily.. laziness does not over rule your future..best of luck</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice, everyone. I actually have the forms in a sealed envelope. I haven't mailed off my application yet. What do you think is the best way to go about this? Should I just go talk to my counselor and ask her to write one now? Heck, even if she did write one, I know it would be terrible. What should I do?? ND is my first choice school, and I'm absolutely in love with it. I have a very small school about 150 in my graduating class, and there are 2 counselors. Most kids just go to community schools though. Very few venture out any further, so I don't know if she ever writes rec letters, just fills out the forms, I guess... I don't know what to do!!!</p>

<p>well then I guess your counselor's job is fairly easy.. I'm not sure how it works in your school but talk to your guidance counselor and ask whether or not she wrote a recommendation ...If she didn't just tell her you were reading up about ND this weekend and came to know that a counselor evaluation is required.. If she says that she can't post the excuse she gives.. if she says she doesn't have time: complain. I honestly cannot think of any excuse a guidance counselor would make that would make this situation justifiable...</p>

<p>The more I ponder this dilemma the more I think pinke123 is in a bind. She has to be courteous to the counselor, as do her parents, and if they complain directly to the counselor or get the counselor in hot water with the principal, the (eventual) letter of rec will probably not be that great. </p>

<p>Definitely, definitely, go tomorrow and tell her you're about to send in the packet and as you're checking things off your application list you just wanted to check with her and make sure she attached her letter of rec to the form (or something like that). Be polite but direct - and then call ND about a week after you mail the packet and ask if there was a counselor's letter included. Also - you have an ND admissions rep assigned to your geographic area - why don't you ask for that person, explain the situation, and ask their advice? Trust me, your situation is not unique. Guidance counselors can be excellent or they can be terrible. I've had experience with both with my kids.</p>

<p>If this helps you, my son had his counselor, a teacher, AND the principal of his school write letters. If you politely ask and the counselor didn't or won't write a letter, perhaps you could ask the principal to do so, or maybe ask the principal even if the counselor DID write the letter. Just give the principal an addressed and stamped envelope and a sheet explaining what you need and ask them to put your name and SSN across the top so it gets in the right file at ND admissions. Ask the principal to send it by Dec. 21st or some date much earlier than actually needed. </p>

<p>And if the counselor didn't help when asked again I would definitely let the principal know AFTER this admissions stuff is all over. Just do everything you can to help yourself out now in this situation and then afterwards figure you're just helping correct things at your school for future applicants to selective schools.</p>

<p>So I talked to my counselor today... and at first she told me she was going to write me one. Then, she called me in at the end of the day and said that she had been really busy today and that she called ND admissions. She said they said a rec letter wasn't required and if it had been required, ND would have said said so. She said that she would still do it for me if I wanted, jsut to tell her tomorrow. What do you think I should do now? If she does write one, I'm sure she'll do a crappy job, but I feel like I need all the help I can get. I'd do anything to go to ND!</p>

<p>Go see your guidance counselor tomorrow and tell her you'd like a recommedation. Close her door and slip a few bucks on her desk and you are set.. (I'd say a few hundred will do..)</p>

<p>Lol Johnst, thanks for the smile.</p>

<p>Pinke, your counselor is a loser. Yes, ask her to still send the letter ASAP, because ND does require it no matter what she says. But don't tell her that, of course, just tell her that you know she's swamped but it would mean a whole lot to you if she could do it.</p>

<p>If I were you I'd also CALL ND ADMISSIONS myself (yes, I'm yelling...just a little) and ask to speak to your geographic representative, explain this situation and tell them you'll have to send another letter from another teacher or your principal just in case this counselor doesn't come through. Tell them how frustrated you are feeling and see what they say. Do not be afraid to do this - applicants call all the time and you have a quite legitimate concern. The ND admissions rep for your geographic area will be happy to advise you and remember, it's their job and they're professionals (unlike your counselor). Then, and I would highly recommend this, ask another teacher or your principal for another letter of recommendation. Send it in to ND asking to be put in your file, with an explanatory note from you detailing this counselor situation in writing so it will be read with your application. They need to know about this so they can consider why they either 1) didn't receive a counselor rec, or 2) got a short and maybe not great counselor letter of rec.</p>

<p>Did you apply early or is this for regular action?</p>

<p>Docmom, would it be okay if I emailed you off the board? I have lots of details.</p>

<p>Okay - give me your email address and I'll email you first, if that's okay?</p>

<p>(Please don't post e-mail addresses in the forums - that's what the Private Message feature is for. It allows communication between members without exposing personal info.)</p>