<p>I'm doing the same thing... Zero parental involvement(FA forms and driving to interviews excluded). </p>
<p>I realized I didn't have a copy of a coach rec... I actually asked Choate if they could possibly make a copy for me if I needed one. My interviewer responded the next day and said they could scan a copy and send it via email if I needed it immediately. I found out that my coach kept a copy =)</p>
<p>Saer, if you requested that your scores be sent to Andover, and every other school you're applying to has received your scores and recommendations, the file has probably been misplaced, or misfiled. This does happen. If you search old threads, every year it seems some applicant's file has been lost, or parts of their application never arrive.</p>
<p>The only thing you can do is send in all the information again. Your teachers have most likely kept a copy. Over the weekend, make up new envelopes for them, and print out new recommendation forms. Request that the SSAT be sent to them again. Prepare a new application. Request that your current school send another copy of your records to Andover, A.S.A.P. Make certain that all the pieces have enough postage!</p>
<p>Write a cover letter, explaining the situation. It does happen. Has your check been cashed? If you look on your SSAT account, do they show that your scores have been sent?</p>
<p>The fact that you have people who can vouch for the fact that they sent things in on time does nothing to help your chances of admission. The school needs all the information they requested, in order to make a decision.</p>
<p>Sometimes things can take up to two weeks to be processed. Exeter took three for my Math and English recommendations -- so maybe that's what happened to yours. If it is the case that they've misplaced your files, then hopefully they will be found. </p>
<p>As for parents, the idea of you going away is probably pretty scary for your Mom, and you owe her a big thanks no matter what happens. I'm sure if you talked to her about what to do she may have some insight, or you could possibly have her call Andover if the situation doesn't improve.</p>
<p>Saer and Italian...I can't believe your parents would leave all that to eighth graders. Especially since it is so important, time consuming, and costly. They must have great faith in your judgement and maturity.
Saer, I think you need to get your mom's assistance here and ask her to contact Andover. She will know what to ask and who to speak to. Next, if your materials still are not located, Andover needs to be contacted to explain the situation and request and extension. Your mom should do this, as well. I think it carries a bit more credibility than if the child (sorry, but to many authority figures, you are a child and they are more likely to listen to an adult) makes the call and tries to explain this. Next, contact your school to resend the transcripts. Contact your teachers; they almost certainly have copies of your recs saved on your computers. Every one of my three childrens' teachersand personal references offered them copies of the rec. for our files. It might be that you think they mailed them, but they did not. I know, in our case, we had to remind some of the individuals multiple times (it's the whole "the check's in the mail" thing) - you ask if the rec. was mailed, the teacher thinks, "Oh shoot, I've got to do that today" and tells you, "Oh, yes, I just sent that out." Then, they go ahead and forget to it again. And, this time, send EVERYTHING with a traceable label ($1.00 at the post office) and photocopy EVERYTHING. Like Perwinkle said, have everything weighed as well to make sure you have correct postage on it. Did you use the envelopes the school provided the first time? If not, maybe there was a problem with the address. Make sure you get the complete correct address from the school where to mail everything to and don't forget your return address!
Good luck, and this will all work out!</p>
<p>I had to do everything by myself for two years.
My parent's limited English resulted in problems in financial aid applications,
but other than that, it wasn't too bad calling the schools to set up interviews, setting up an SSAT account, and filling applications.
It's not too bad,
just really hectic come deadline time.</p>
<p>With all due respect, I think it shows a TON of credibility (and maturity!) if an applicant calls an admission office himself/herself. After all, he/she is applying to the boarding school, not the parents. If he/she cannot handle a relatively simple conversation with an adult, perhaps he/she is not ready to go to boarding school. </p>
<p>Of course, applicants are usually in school when admission offices are open, so it's more often that parents call. But we are always impressed when students call themselves.</p>
<p>There are adults out there, though, who do not demonstrate that kind of respect toward young people. Hopefully, in the boarding school world, they are few and far between. At our public school, an adult almost always has to intervene because the children are given no credibility. I always encourage my own children to advocate for themselves and my son is definitely heard fairly by his teachers at bs. This is a critical/urgent situation, however, and I think some parental involvement is crucial.</p>
<p>
[quote]
At our public school, an adult almost always has to intervene because the children are given no credibility.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>We have the same trouble at our public school. When my children have spoken up for themselves, the general reaction is "how cuuuute!!!" So, we get used to having to speak up. My children spoke out at a school board meeting once and gave prepared speeches on why they needed gifted education to continue. The board was grinning the whole time that they were spilling their guts and sometimes becoming quite emotional. They were begging them not to take away one of the only things they got from school and they sat there grinning before summarily dismissing their concerns. </p>
<p>Thanks, GemmaV, for reminding us how BS are different.</p>
<p>I apologize for being short with everyone yesterday.
Now, an update.</p>
<p>Andover has found my english, math, and personal recommendations. They have not found my school report or transcript.</p>
<p>I have been told to resend my candidate statement, personal essays, and parent statement again. I will be doing that tomorrow, after speaking with my mom and rewriting essays and the like.</p>
<p>I have contacted my guidance counselor, and she will be copying the transcript and school profile for me ASAP. I will get the school report to her on Monday, for her recommendation, and she will write that up ASAP, also.</p>
<p>Funny thing is, my interviewer actually suggested that we call another school and ask for a fax of the school report. I decided against it, in any event.</p>
<p>They have my SSAT scores, also. And my interview record. And so I will just send everything that is in my power to send, and get on my counselor... I was reassured that nothing will be counted late as long as it is received by the 9th.</p>
<p>I am the liaison between the schools and my mother, 90% of the time. I think it shows an involvement in the process, and that yes, it is ME who is applying, not my mother. I call the schools concerning testing, fee waivers, interviews, materials, and I get it done. My mother is a huge help when it comes to what she knows, which is essays, interview etiquette, and being a supporting mother, and being a more powerful voice to those at the schools who need it.</p>
<p>That's why I think you are an amazing young woman, Saer. I have since I first started seeing your posts.</p>
<p>Thank you :) You have no idea how much that means to me, especially after spending a large majority of last night close to tears. (I always feel better with a plan.)</p>
<p>Saer,</p>
<p>I was the first in my family to go to college (eons ago). I forged my not only my own way, but also handled much of my cousin & brother's stuff -- FA included. Not "fun" and I probably had some missteps, but my parents were not confident and would not have helped the process.</p>
<p>Take a deep breathe.</p>
<p>When sending the replacement stuff, clearly mark on ALL that it is a resend of a package orignally sent on X date. This way if/when original turns up it won't confuse things.</p>
<p>Although I made sure I scanned & retained eletronic copies of all of my sons apps, I did not take the step of return receipt mail. Your experience has taught me an important lesson for the future.</p>
<p>And again I commend you for taking the lead role in this process.</p>
<p>I'll be sure to mark that it is a resend- my Candidate statement, sent only a week ago, has a very likely chance of showing up soon, and I don't want to be applying twice.
I don't have a chance to redo this process, but I highly urge anyone applying next year or who will be applying with younger students in the future to not make my mistake, and trace, photocopy, and clearly mark your application materials. Save yourself the stress!</p>
<p>Saer, I am so happy that everything is working out (and having been through several near-disasters with my own three children, I had not doubt it would). I hope you are not having to re-write your admission essay....did you have it on your computer?</p>
<p>Yes, I did, and several handwritten copies (I was practicing my handwriting!) so that was not too bad. My mom hadn't even sent the Parent Statement yet, but this time we are faxing everything directly to my interviewer, financial forms and application materials and everything. Hopefully this time it will work out.</p>
<p>Last year, for whatever reason, my D's english teacher recs were not received by all schools. The teacher assured us that they were sent, but after an unreasonable amount of time for them to be found/received, and they were not found/received, we prevailed upon her to redo the recs, and they were all sent with delivery confirmation, which I paid for.</p>
<p>Delivery confirmation is worth the money for things with deadlines, and I believe it is less expensive than certified mail. With your fax, don't for get to call or email and confirm it is received. You won't believe how many of my business faxes never seem to make it to the right desk.</p>
<p>Best of luck. It is not so late that it should make any difference in your application.</p>
<p>Yeah, my dad just did the parent application for Andover today and we sent it off... The parent applications were the last things to go really.(Slow parents lol)
I got three letters confirmed all my stuff was in... Andover and Exeter told me they don't have everything(But they have alot of stuff to sift through).</p>
<p>PS: I'm a 10th grader.</p>
<p>One of the school for months (he took it in OCT) insisted they don't have my son's SSAT score, though SSAT insisted that the school has it. After a few back and forth I suggested to the school that if it is possible they have another applicant with the same name. I got an e-mail back saying they DO have my son's score.........</p>
<p>Saer,</p>
<p>You're not the only one. I've got Deerfield and Lawrenceville missing my english teacher recommendations and Hotchkiss and Andover missing my interview.</p>
<p>Not to complain or anything.... just sympathizing.</p>
<p>But still, continue in your efforts and good luck.</p>
<p>Andover was missing my interview too... only got it up a few days ago...</p>
<p>Don't worry Saer, everything will turn out fine =D</p>