<p>Hi everyone! Can I get some help from those of you who are knowledgeable about the Robertson Scholars program?</p>
<p>My son's a high school senior in Atlanta and has applied to UNC early action and to Duke regular decision. He has just learned from his high school principal that the Robertson program (we don't know from which university) has contacted the school seeking a recommendation for my son by December 1st. My son had not applied for this scholarship (quite honestly, he had doubted that his credentials, though terrific, were "enough" -- huge lesson learned there, I think!) So, needless to say, this news coming out of the clear blue sky was gigantically flattering and exciting. The folks at his school are scurrying around getting the recommendation done for him, and my question to you all is: Does my son need to do the Supplemental Info form with the two optional essays by December 1 too, or not?? We've been reading here and at the program's site and are a little confused. I should probably add that my son hasn't received any communication himself from the program -- the contact was made directly to his school. Under ordinary circumstances I know he'd already be at work on cranking out those essays, but this couldn't be a worse week for him -- he's really under the gun with several huge projects, papers and then semester finals coming up, not to mention his usual extracurricular stuff. To write two essays, and do them well, by Saturday would be a VERY tall order. Still, if it needs to be done, he doesn't want to pass up this opportunity to take his best shot. I told him I'd do the "helicopter mom" thing and try to find him some good info on this today while he's at school.</p>
<p>Opinions? Hoping I can get some guidance -- if not, I'll call the Robertson office, I guess, but I kinda hate to do that for no particularly rational reason.</p>
<p>You misunderstood me, which is totally understandable. I know they're due December 1st if one chooses to write them. I guess my question, better phrased, is: Are the essays REALLY optional? Would my son's chances at this scholarship be damaged if he didn't write them? (I suppose I'm hoping the answer will be "No", because of the time crunch this would impose on my son.)</p>
<p>I know that the admission offices consider all applicants for the Scholars Program, regardless of whether or not they've submitted the supplemental material.</p>
<p>We had investigated the program, and, altho we didn't remember completing the form in its entirety, or hitting a 'send' button, they contacted my dd to tell her that the email contact for one of her recommendations was inaccurate. We found that very confusing, but felt it was important to follow thru since she was 'in the system.'</p>
<p>Therefore, it would seem likely that they would tell you if part of the application was missing - ie, if they need a form that your son hasn't submitted.</p>
<p>That being said, to be on the safe side, I think an email or call to the admission offices would be the way to go. In fact, I think the guidance counselor from the high school should do this for you, since they were the ones contacted.</p>
<p>ie, "hello, you called us and requested a recommendation for John. Do you want him to send you the supplemental forms?"</p>
<p>If your son is already in the program’s radar, I personally do not think that turning the supplement in a few days late would hurt your chances – especially if waiting would improve the quality of the essays.</p>
<p>December 1 is a ‘priority’ deadline, but at least last year they still took them (even online) afterwards – I submitted mine a few weeks after the deadline, and still got selected.</p>
<p>I’d say that your son should turn it in as soon as he can reasonably write high-quality essays – and if this means waiting a few days after December 1, so be it. I should point out, though, that this advice only applies because the program already seems interested in him and you just heard about it.</p>
<p>I also think mtpaper's suggestion of asking your son's school to call and ask if he should submit a supplement is a good idea.</p>
<p>Thanks SO much, ThoughtProvoking! He has been working on drafts already, but really doesn't have much time between now and Saturday. If he COULD turn them in a little later that would definitely improve their quality. He feels that he shouldn't just NOT do them, and his dad and I agree that there's no logic in skipping this opportunity unless he simply can't produce quality essays in time. (To me, bad is worse than none.)</p>
<p>I liked mtpaper's idea too, but our small school's college counselor is underwater with seniors whose apps have to be turned in within the next few days, so it's not realistic of me to expect that he'd investigate this further for us. I think I'll just have my son call the program office tomorrow.</p>