<p>As undoubtedly many on this board, I have had the aim of applying SCEA to Stanford. So of course, over the last several weeks, I have been working on the Common App/Stanford supplement, getting teacher recommendations, writing essays, etc. All in all, things were going pretty smoothly--all I needed to do was request a counselor recommendation for the Secondary School Report, and I'd be set.</p>
<p>However, the other day, I went to do exactly that and subsequently received a huge shock--because of a ridiculous technicality imposed by the counselor's office, I have to have submitted my entire Common App/Supplement to Stanford before I can request a counselor recommendation. Their rationale for doing so? Too many kids request recommendations only to change their minds and not apply to the university, "wasting" the time of the counselors. </p>
<p>Despite my repeated insistence that I would (and could) not change my mind--that I had already paid the fees, that I had already requested recs, etc.--they would not budge and merely told me to "come back" when I had submitted the app (I'd have to print for them the confirmation page).</p>
<p>Now, the counselors require a two-week notice for the recommendation, which means that to meet the SCEA deadline, I would have to finish my <em>entire</em> application (including essays) by the coming Monday (October 13th), basically leaving me a weekend to finalize everything, including my essays, which I'm far from confident about. Alternatively, I could forget the SCEA plans and switch to RD, succumbing to the absurdity of my school administration and forgoing the benefits of an early application.</p>
<p>Needless to say, this is causing me tremendous stress...What should I do?</p>
<p>I would abstain from applying ED. According to your statement, it's relatively blatant that you are no where near as prepared as you ought to be for this situation. Of course, you did not know about the necessary requirements of the counselor recommendations, but I am doubtful that you can implement any plan to change their minds. I know from experience that attempting to alter anything laid down by the institution is practically impossible, for they are of the mindset that they are right and you are wrong. Applying ED would mean that you could be denied, most likely in part due to your unpreparedness.</p>
<p>You could easily have your essays done in a weekend if you manage your time well. Just buckle down and get it done, don't waste any time.
Edit: Besides, you don't only have this weekend, you can work on it tonight, thursday night and friday night as well. You might have homework but I'm sure you can find a way to fit in some work on the essays each night.</p>
<p>Erin's Dad is 100% correct. You get your stuff in, the counselor's documentation follows. Not a hitch whatsoever. If Stanford finds the info lagging, they'll inquire at the school (which I'm sure will comply). Don't sweat.</p>
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Erin's Dad is 100% correct. You get your stuff in, the counselor's documentation follows. Not a hitch whatsoever. If Stanford finds the info lagging, they'll inquire at the school (which I'm sure will comply). Don't sweat.
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<p>I called the Stanford UGA office about this, and they said everything (including the Secondary School Report) needed to be postmarked by November 1st. Is that just a customary rule, or will they still accept the Counselor's paperwork even if it is postmarked later than that?</p>
<p>^Schools give deadlines so that people will get ALL the stuff turned in on time, but really a student can only control their part of the application. So if the college counselor rec is not on file, they will call u and probably the school asking for it, but as long as YOUR portion of the app is in, you are FINE.</p>
<p>I'm guessing that you perhaps don't want to muddy the waters with the counselor (who may be needed for other applications if Stanford doesn't come through), but did you consider making a polite inquiry to the principal? It might be especially illuminating to him or her if this technicality isn't made prominently known to seniors, preferably in writing. And the reason for this just might be what the posters above have already hinted at. GOod luck.</p>