<p>My guidance counselor doesn't know me from Adam. I don't know too many people who DO know their GCs. Why is it that colleges want references from these faceless people?</p>
<p>Generally the GC’s know their top students and their ‘frequent flyers’ (ie students with recurring referrals).
You may want to schedule an appointment to meet with your GC to review your plans. This gives you a chance to remind your GC what you have been involved in at school and in your community.</p>
<p>To see commentary on your course work, explain anything unusual, etc. Make sure to make an appointment with your GC to mention things you’d like in the counselor rec. Other than that there’s not much you can do.</p>
<p>Also, preparing a resume if you haven’t already is helpful for anyone who will be writing recommendations.</p>
<p>I hear you man. My GC completely disappeared on me when I needed my report. I had the highest SAT scores in my class and she was talking to me about going to a community college like her nephew. She had no idea about the schools I was applying to (NYU, Carnegie Mellon, UCLA, Johns Hopkins, etc) and had the writing skills of a 10 year old. My school’s principal had to fill out my forms due to her incompetence. Ugh I’m so glad I’ve moved on to bigger and better things.</p>
<p>I have met with her twice, and the third time I was supposed to, her student teacher met with me!!! The only time the guidance people ever meet with students is to do their schedules. Unless they call you down for scholarship applications or something like that.</p>
<p>And That is another sore spot - the scholarships - it’s all a “favorites” thing. A couple of years ago, a friend of mine who won a full scholarship from a local foundation (pays <em>everything</em> for 4 years at an Ivy) wasn’t called down to get the app for it, she wasn’t in the “in” crowd. She got the app off the internet, and won the thing out from under all the GC’s favorites. Ha. </p>
<p>My mom said it was the same way when she was in school. 33% of our class goes on to 4-year college, another 30% to community college. Our school is rural and they just assume we’ll all be farmers or mechanics one day. My mom was in the top 10 of her class, and dad is a college professor. Maybe they just assume I know all about colleges so they don’t need to know me?</p>
<p>The principal, though, I know really well. That’s an idea. Maybe it would have more clout coming from her?</p>
<p>Oh, and I have 3 really glowing recommendations, and 2 good ones (from people who told me they didn’t know how to write them!). It’s the forms for the GCs I have problems with. One wants them to tell the colleges about me. I am sorry, but I don’t want a stranger telling someone else “about me”! I’d rather let my band director and my French teacher do that!</p>
<p>Count on your GC as being a neutral. Look to your teachers, coaches, & mentors for the really personal recommendations. Adcoms recognize generic LORs from GCs and don’t hold that against you. What they are counting on the GC from is the school profile, to help explain a special circumstance that would have effected your grades (prolonged illness), or scheduling conflicts that restricted you from taking more than three years of a language. </p>
<p>Perhaps a more distinct task is pointing out if you have had any referrals or infractions at the school. This is somewhat controversial as there is some question legally what they can release. IF this is a concern I would suggest reviewing this with your GC first so you know what information is going to the school and how it is being approached. If you have not met your GC much I doubt it is a factor, but I thought I’d mention it as it is a unique role a GC can play. Yes, they are going to have to check the box stating how rigorous your schedule was. If you have questions where you fall in this, the time to ask would be BEFORE scheduling your Sr classes to adjust if you wanted to step it up a notch (more accurately your Jr year!).</p>
<p>Unless you think something really negative is going to come out, I would work on those essays that are going to matter more. If it makes you feel better, the vast majority of students are right there with you. My son is in the top 3% of his class, a well liked student, and on an academic team that has won national awards. When he met with his GC she did not know he was a member…oookkkaaayyy? Not a low-value team asset mind you. Three years, two teams, 20+hrs/week. He just keeps a low profile, as many kids on his team do. I makes them a pretty likable bunch actually :).</p>
<p>Hi - Thanks for the info. I think I read elsewhere on CC that GCs forms were important, that is why it had me worried.</p>
<p>There is nothing bad on my record, I have a 3.51, 3 years of French, and I am involved in a lot of band ECs, so it’s not like I am unknown entity. I would think, though, that if you had a lot of problems, the principal would know you before the GC would! 
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<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I think it is, insomuch that it gives a perspective of how difficult your classes were in comparison with your classmates, what your grading scale was (what does an ‘A’ really mean?), how many APs are offered, etc.
This is obviously my opinion. I am not a professional Admissions Advisor. There are a couple that pop in now and then. Hopefully one will offer their opinion as well. It’s a holiday weekend so ‘bump’ on Tuesday for a fresh audience. :)</p>