<p>I applied ED II to my dream school and expect an admissions decision in the next month. My guidance counselor offered to call the school on my behalf to speak to the regional admissions rep. I guess his goal would be to confirm that everything is OK in the file and put in a plug for my strong interest. This college is big on demonstrating interest although I understand that applying ED II does confirm my interest level to some degree.</p>
<p>I am a competitive candidate with above average grades for this school and and strong ECs, essays, and recs. My SATs are slightly below the average. </p>
<p>Also, I have met the admissions counselor and have shared several e-mails with him over the past year.</p>
<p>Any advice? Is it appropriate to have my guidance counselor put in a good subtle plug for me? </p>
<p>If your counselor has done this sort of thing before, and you trust him/her to handle it in a subtle, not too pushy way, there is no harm in this. Good luck - hope you get in!</p>
<p>I am not so sure that having a guidance counselor call could help much. Is it worth the risk that this strategy could backfire? Why not just wait for your decision and get accepted on your merits?</p>
<p>I disagree. The elite (and not so elite) prep schools do this sort of thing all the time for their students. If it is approached not as "is he going to get in" but as "he's a great student and we just wanted to reiterate our support and see if you have any additional questions that we can answer for you," it will be fine. But it's a subtle difference, which is why I would ask if the GC has done this before for others. If so, it's likely he knows how to handle this.</p>
<p>I think it would be fine for your counselor to call, especially if there is any question in the college's "mind" as to student interest. Putting in a good word can really help; it may be more likely to make a positive impact at an LAC, and if the counselor has already had contacts with the school and is trusted by the school. I have many times contacted schools, (even in the case of a state school where a student is a borderline admit) and in my experience it has always helped.</p>
<p>One way to sort out if this has worked at this school before is to ask (perhaps through the parent grapevine) how the previous year's students faired in getting their 1st or 2nd choice schools. If the schools has good success, I suspect the guidance is quite experienced with this kind of phone call. Frankly, if a GC offered to make that phone call for my child, I'd say Go for it!</p>
<p>lawyer2B: Have your GC call. Let your GC advocate on your behalf. Not only is that your GC's job, it is the GC's obligation to help you get in. This is NOT the time to be proud. Let the GC do his/her job; afterall, haven't you done your job all these years? (rhetorical).</p>
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<p>I am a competitive candidate with above average grades for this school and and strong ECs, essays, and recs. My SATs are slightly below the average. <<</p>
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<p>All the more reason to take the GC up on the offer. He can use the opportunity to reiterate that your test scores aren't a full reflection of your academic accomplishment and potential, although hopefully he already did that in his recommendation.</p>
<p>I completely agree with Carolyn's advice on this. Take him/her up on the offer. It can't hurt. Advocating can only be beneficial if done in this way. Prep school kids have this done all the time where their college advisor is on a regular communication basis with certain admissions offices. If your public school GC is making this offer, go with it.</p>