<p>Our high school just adopted a new policy requiring students to submit transcript requests for regular decision applications by November 29, along with proof that the application has actually been completed and filed. That means 1) students will no longer have winter break to complete their college applications; and 2) students who have applied early decision or early action will have to complete applications and pay fees for their back-up schools before learning whether they have been accepted early to their first-choice. </p>
<pre><code>The justification for this policy is apparently to make sure that the school has sufficient time to process the transcripts requests and to prevent students from indiscriminately submitting transcript requests for schools to which they do not ultimately apply.
Whatever the justification, the policy strikes me as unreasonable. I was wondering if any other high schools have adopted such a policy, or whether we are an anomoly.
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<p>Our school requires a one-month lead-time for all requests for the school’s portion of the app (transcripts, profile, etc). So if a college deadline is Nov 15, our school deadline is Oct 15. That seems reasonable to me.</p>
<p>My D is applying EA or rolling admission on all her schools, so we’re getting them all in (to hs) by Oct 1.</p>
<p>I do see your point about having to pay extra fees and do extra student-app work to meet the deadline for safeties (while awaiting word on EDs and EAs).</p>
<p>But I also think this whole process has become very administratively burdensome on high schools. I guess I do think requiring a 30-day window for them to do their part of the processing is fair.</p>
<p>DougBetsy - - I agree that there are some compromise options, and we hope to work with the administration on that front. One idea I had was to impose a fee on students who request transcripts for schools to which they do not end up applying. That would discourage indiscriminate requests. I’d be interested in any other ideas for compromise.</p>
<p>Momofsongbird – I don’t have any problem with requiring students to submit their transcript/recommendation/profile requests well in advance of the application deadline. That seems fair. The part I object to is actually requiring them to complete their applications in advance of the deadline.</p>
<p>I see this a lot with the private schools in our area. I think it works here though because a) its always been that way so students just plan accordingly and b) app fees are pretty trivial to this group paying private tuition. I LIKE that they put the process to bed so they can actually enjoy winter break and/or get focused back on the rest of their lives sooner in the school year. Though I do think the transition year, as in your case, would be tough if students are caught off guard by it.</p>
<p>Time to drop by the counselor’s office for a warm heart to heart (bring brownies). You may find this is all a “shot across the bow” to get the seniors moving. More drama and smoke than hard cutoff date. </p>
<p>You may find out that last year was a disaster for overworked counselors with some students ordering 25 transcripts – or delaying until the counselor’s own winter holiday was consumed with rescuing students who procrastinated. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t be surprised that the counselor (in a polite, face to face conversation) tells you that they will work with students who are making a valiant effort to act responsibly. We’ve been through the process twice and I learned (the hard way!) that grumping at the counseling staff without understanding the whole picture was a poor technique. </p>
<p>What changed my approach? One of the counselors calmly handed me a two page printout of her responsibilities. My God. It was enough to stagger a mule team. With a better understanding, I still asked questions and still was an advocate for our students – but without the hostile edge. Both offspring navigated the process to a happy conclusion.</p>
<p>At our large public hs, transcript requests are due at least 4 weeks before the deadline - but they do not ask for proof of application submission. They do charge for requests, however. The first 3 are free and after that it’s a few dollars per request.</p>
<p>I do sympathize with the GC’s plight. It’s a lot of work to send out dozens of transcripts to schools the kids do not end up applying to. But requiring them to furnish proof that they have applied weeks before the deadline is a bit much - I have never heard of this before.</p>
<p>Asking time to process transcripts is reasonable. Asking for applications to be filed before the deadlines is ENTIRELY unreasonable. If one were to push this issue, it is probable that such a request might not be legal. Schools have the right to have a reasonable timeframe to process a request for a transcript, but they do not have the right to refuse to issue a transcript. The issuance of transcripts remains at the SOLE discretion of the applicant. The transcript belongs to the student and in the absence of a financial hold cannot be withheld whimsically. </p>
<p>As far as reaching a compromise, there are no justifiable reasons why parents and students should comply with such ridiculous policy.</p>
<p>Our school had a reasonably early deadline to request transcripts but there was no requirement to apply to every school that they sent a transcript too. My son had 5 schools on his list and we ordered and paid for 5 transcripts to be sent out. He was accepted to the second school he applied to (rolling admissions) and decided that was the one for him so did not apply, write essays, pay fees, etc. for the last three schools. The school didn’t have an issue with him not applying to those last 3 schools. Not sure why the school would care unless the guidance counselor is writing individualized recommendation letters for each school? This wasn’t a private school with lots of actual guidance being provided.</p>
<p>Ou public high school also wants the kids to have things wrapped up early. They tell the kids at the end of junior year and the tell the parents at the end of junior year that fall is the time to get organized. They need to for our public flagship, etc. However, the GC’s office doesn’t “refuse” to complete applications if the kids add a school or two mid-winter. S2 added one that he had been wishy-washy on sometime in early December (a regular decision college). It’s better for the kids to get this done otherwise it becomes a year-long slog. The kids’ school ask sfor the “list” from the kids by early October and to wrap up the applications before the end of November. There isn’t any punishment for not getting it together, other than the GCs hunting down the kids to find out what’s oin on, but kids would take six months to write an essay if given six months to do so and GCs know it as well as parents. I don’t particularly see it as unreasonable I think I see it as not making the “college application process” a year long activity.</p>
<p>Perhaps the OPs school is one where many kids are lobbing out more than ten applications or asking for transcripts for applications that are simply not going to get done. If so, it might be a way that the GCs are trying to get the kids to focus and make decisions?</p>
<p>But in general I’m all for a shorter cycle.</p>
<p>Regarding “along with proof that the application has actually been completed and filed.”, if it were me and my child, I would have child make the transcript request whenever the decision has been made to make application. Then, my child would have the application in a couple of weeks prior to deadline, at the latest. Contact would be made with the college just prior to deadline to make sure all items (includng transcripts) are in. If they aren’t, explain the high school’s policy. Then go back to the high school and turn up the heat.</p>
<p>Colleges usually work with applicants regarding these things.</p>