<p>Right now, I am more worried about the counselor components than any other part of my application. My old counselor retired this past year so I was assigned a new one. With a senior class of over 700 kids and only 4 counselors, she obviously doesn't know me very well. Anyway I'm pretty sure her knowledge extends no further than the application process for our local university. We send 1 student at most to top schools each year, and they do not provide any guidance whatsoever. </p>
<p>I'm worried that she doesn't understand the importance of counselor evaluations and recs. To be honest, I don't know how she can even fill them out for me. Should I contact her and explain the role that they play in the admissions process for these schools? Because I feel like that would sound really condescending.</p>
<p>Also, for the school profiles, do most high schools already have these on hand? Or would I have to request it from them? </p>
<p>Any insight would be much appreciated. I'm sure I'm not the only person with a weak school counseling system. Thanks :)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I’m sure she understands the importance of counselor profiles. She got the job after all and she’s been through the whole college process. If you want, go tell her about your passion for the school–that will usually translate into, “Please do a good job please!” without sounding condescending. </p></li>
<li><p>Your counselor sends in the school profile. You don’t have to do anything.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You certainly aren’t the only student with a poor guidance department. My school’s is, for the most part, completely abysmal. What’s scary is that my guidance counselor, despite knowing me quite well for four years, went to a music concert of mine and didn’t realize that I was playing in it, much less that I had actually written a piece being performed…but whatever. Penn will understand that you have a large senior class size, and they know that in such situations, guidance counselors can’t be expected to write an amazing recommendation. So I’d say don’t worry too much.</p>
<p>my counselor was a complete idiot, thought penn was a state school, forgot to send my fee waiver, and called me by the wrong name in my rec. luckily i think penn realized she’s a nut and didn’t hold it against me cause it didn’t matter in the end.</p>