<p>jchen09, my S was applying to the most selective schools. They want to see a rec that indicates that the student is one of the very top few in the class. Not a rec that indicates that the GC could not be bothered even to be up to date on the kid's awards.</p>
<p>We have one counselor in our whole school for almost 800 kids. </p>
<p>I'd like to see anybody try to make an "appointment" with him without having OD'd on drugs or maybe attacked someone in the hallway! </p>
<p>He's never in his office - too busy worrying about sports-related stuff and wandering around - and my mom finally e-mailed him the same question 3 times before we got a response. We also suspect my GPA wasn't calculated correctly. He never announces the info for tests like the ACT (my mom finally called the principal to ask about the PSAT, since I couldn't get a response at school - and magically the next day it was suddenly announced, a few days before the test. Hmmm.). He called me by the wrong name when he was talking to my mom on the phone! </p>
<p>Soooo...I am VERY worried about any forms he's going to have to fill out. I suspect it could really harm my chances. But what can I do?? I guess I can't expect much from someone who has to serve so many students, but geez...at least get my name right!</p>
<p>Our school forces ALL juniors and seniors to schedule Junior and Senior Meetings. Both should be at least 60 minutes, if not more than that. </p>
<p>As for me, luckily I've kept a stellar relationship with my counselor (a lot of my activities required that I drop by her office at least twice a day sometimes), and plus she likes me as a kid (I hope!!)</p>
<p>I think counselor rec's aren't THAT big of a deal, are they? Because, if they are, then I might be a little more fortunate <em>cross fingers</em></p>
<p>You must remember that counselors build relationships with college admissions officers . </p>
<p>There are college fairs, events, breakfast meetings just for counselors to meet with college representatives. You would be suprised the number of admission people and counselors who are on a first name basis with each other (remember admissions people are still people and they cultivate professional relationships just as anyone who works develops professional relationships).</p>
<p>A counselor that is able to cultivate relationships with their regional admissions person at a college does have the ability to pick up the phone to get information, advocate for a student, arrange a visti for that student, to provide clarification regarding a student's situation, etc.</p>
<p>When you hear about students stating that colleges take a large number of students from their shool how do you think this happens? This is because relationships are built, schools and their counselors develop track records with the colleges.</p>