<p>Jlauer, the assumption is that private schools all have extremely diligent and competent GCs. The reality is that, just as it is for public schools, the GCs come in all kinds of flavors. From reports of friends, I can tell that some GC are truly amazing and have their pulse on the college admission process. Alas, a great number of smaller or less wealthy schools have GCs who may have been there for 20 or 30 years and have shown little willingness to adapt to the demands of 2006-7, and are simply viewing their job as the last step in their teaching career. The worst part is that those GC might have BEEN very successful in the past when BWRK dominated the debates, and when decisions were influenced by the good GC making the right PHONE call. Today's market of online applications, emails, or electronic registrations throws them unhittable fastballs. Their reaction is to become hostile and resentful of any attempts to ... show them the light. </p>
<p>Sadly enough, my direct experience has been with ineffective GCs at smaller catholic schools, were the priest or former priest can be a major roadblock. However, I do not believe you should fear retaliations in the form of negative assessments. The reality is that GC who do not use much of a computer and seem overly negative probably do not DO much, except stuffing a transcript in an envelope. I have seen more than one LOR containing the laconic: "see transcript and profile attached" IMHO, the ones who do not much at all to help a student won't do anything to hurt them neither. I see them more as ineffective and bored in what has become a dead end job, or a job for .... young people. </p>
<p>As far as relations, it is obvious that it is much better to attempt solving issues in an amicable way. However, if the issue is important for the student AND it may have a negative impact -such as in Zooser's case- it is worth standing your grounds, even it if ruffles a few feathers. </p>
<p>PS Congrats on having Zooserdad negotiate a happy truce without slamming the GC on the mat! :)</p>