Does it matter if...

<p>It's true. We don't operate with a quota on the number of stuents we can admit from one school. My first year as a reader, I had a school where we admitted 5 of 6 candidates because I loved 5 of 6 candidates. And there were schools where we admitted 1 of 12. It's more about by whom we are compelled, then filling the seats with specific numbers in mind.</p>

<p>I'm in a bit of a panic right now. I really want to apply to Tufts and run on the cross country team, and I'm completely capable of doing so, except for one thing: I can't get a guidance counselor letter! I didn't think I would be needing one because I didn't for any of the other schools I applied to, but now that I do, my counselor says she won't start one this late! I didn't know about Tufts until a short while ago, and everything I've looked over just screams perfection to me. I feel like it would pretty much crush my soul if I can't apply. Would it be possible to get a counselor from outside school to write a letter, or am I completely screwed?</p>

<p>Beg and Plea is what I would say. Show them how much it would crush you and make sure you apologize for not knowing soon enough. I'm not sure if you can get it from someone else. Maybe you can ask a Dean or something at your school. I really hope it works out for you.</p>

<p>A guidance counselor refused? That sounds a little ridiculous, but would a recommendation made under duress be a good one? (I might also ask how you applied to any schools without a counselor's report but... ) Here's what I recommend:</p>

<p>Call Tufts admission and specifically and respectfully ask if you get in all the other application materials before the Jan 1 deadline if they will accept a counselor recommendation on like the 15th of January. This will give your counselor time to write (AND shows her that you do respect her time) and I can't imagine that if one piece of your application is missing, Tufts would necessarily hold it against you.</p>

<p>This is what I say to my kids: the answer is always "no" if you never ask. And the worst anyone can say if you do ask, is "no." So what's to lose?</p>

<p>That's also what people have been telling me a whole lot recently, great words of wisdom ^.</p>

<p>Modadunn is a genius.</p>