<p>Our counselors came back from the NACAC conference deciding that our school should use the "NACAC" approved secondary school form, which allows them to fill out some basic information about the student, then attach their letter and the student's transcript. The advantage is that it saves the counselors time, so that they do not need to fill out each individual school's form. My concern, as the parent of a senior D, is that it doesn't provide nearly the information that many colleges are seeking. My greater concern is that the admissions committees at the highly selective schools will just disregard my D's application altogether, since they won't have as complete a picture of her as they would of applicants whose schools completed their form. I would greatly appreciate information, reaction, and suggestions from anyone who might know anything about this! Thank you.</p>
<p>The key here is "attach their letter" - if the counselors will still be writing individual school recommendation letters, this is probably not going to be an issue. Many schools do this type of thing (obviously or the National Association of College Admissions Counselors wouldn't be recommending it), so it should not affect your daughter's chances. For the most part, the actual secondary school reports used by colleges really don't provide very much additional information beyond what appears on the transcript.</p>
<p>If there is a school report from a specific school that asks for detailed information, pass it along to the GC and ask that the information be included in the written letter.</p>
<p>Thanks, Carolyn. I guess I don't need to panic...</p>
<p>Our school uses their own "report form" for every application for the same reason you said - don't have to fill out different from for every school. Our form is a lot like the NACAC one which I just found on line. Has a couple of other qx - one I recall is the one ranking the student as (these are not the exact words) "average, above average, outstanding, one of the top few in my career". </p>
<p>Our school sends a number of kids each year to all the top schools (HYPSM/AWS), so I wouldn't worry. However, if you do have any influence, you might suggest they adopt the Common App version of the School Report instead of the NACAC form. It has a little more on it and seems to more closely mirror the forms of the most selective schools. (If they don't make this choice, I wouldn't worry about it - if your kid is one of the "top of my career", it will come acrosss somewhere).</p>
<p>Thanks! Is the NACAC one on the NACAC site? I'll try to find it so I can compare....</p>