<p>So I'm applying to colleges using the common app and I still need to add a counselor. My counselor requires a huge packet, resume, and interview to get a letter of recommendation from her, but because a lot of my peers aren't talking about it, I just assumed most schools don't require it or it's uncommon to have a counselor recommendation with your application. Can someone tell me what the deal is?? I am supposed to give her a month to complete the letter, so because I'm applying early action I need to get my forms in ASAP if I need to include it. Thanks!</p>
<p>Yes, you need to do what your counselor says. Your application may be incomplete without the letter from counselor. The college won’t look at your app if it is incomplete.</p>
<p>Yes, you’ll need a counselor rec for most schools. You need one for the common app.</p>
<p>Really? Hmmm… That is not made very clear. I’m surprised more people don’t talk about it. Thanks!</p>
<p>Most schools on the common application require the counselor to have completed the secondary school report on the common application.</p>
<p>I have to wonder what your counselor perceives her job to be if it is not to facilitate her students’ college applications.</p>
<p>@woogzmama it doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to facilitate. My high school had a similar thing- the junior packet. All students were required to fill in this lengthy document, which included a parent part. a rec from a teacher, and a resume, to give to your counselor by the first couple weeks of senior year (you have the summer to put it together). You also had to have a meeting with your counselor, although your counselor could waive this if they knew you very well (mine did). The purpose of this is not to make it hard to get a rec, its to make sure your counselor has all the info they need to write you a stellar recommendation. </p>
<p>Each school you add to your common application specifically states the items needed for application in terms of recommendations. </p>
<p>The more information you can give your GC, the better. Often he or she doesn’t know all of the students and will really appreciate knowing a little more about you. Our school doesn’t do a packet, but does require the kids to formally request LORs through Naviance, and then, in a separate personal email to each teacher and the counselor, outline some facts to jog their memories. Our GC also asks parents to give a little input as well, such as providing 3 adjectives to describe our child. Oh, we were sorely tempted to give some not so flattering ones…</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarifications. It’s good for me to remember how fortunate we have been with the individualized counseling services we received. It took my firstborn (and me) awhile to get a handle on Naviance, nevertheless, and to realize that we had to be more proactive ourselves. </p>
<p>mmdkai - yes, your counselor is asking for these things because this is how she or he will be able to write the best letter possible that highlights a personal connection for you. For many schools, the guidance counselor letter is extremely valuable. It is where a counselor can add special positive notes about you, make any extra explanations about any things in your application, and sometimes, even convey some negative things… ugh… Looking through a bunch of schools right now, most of them require a guidance counselor recommendation.</p>