<li><p>Should I ask the teachers to write recommendations before school is over? I mean, just give them a list of stuff you did, GPA, SATs, rankings, awards, etc to the teachers once they have asked you yes… or what I was thinking is that put all those things plus an appreciation letter in an envelope, and give it to the teachers near the end of school.</p></li>
<li><p>My friend and I were wondering… do colleges see the applicant’s disciplinary records? I mean, like if you were suspended once or got detention once in your high school life. At my school, I think they’re all in a cabinet somewhere, and counselors never know about these things (unless the student is really “bad”)…</p></li>
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<p>You will be asked on the common application whether or not you have ever faced disciplinary action at your school ie suspension or expulsion
This same question is on the school report, so yes, the colleges you are applying to will know about any disciplinary issues you have faced
If you have been suspended or expellled, you will need to write a thoughtful essay about the incident and what you learned from it on the common app</p>
<p>Above all, do not lie or withhold information--even if these records are "locked in a cabinet" somewhere, chances are your college will find out and it looks really bad if you do not tell the truth</p>
<p>regarding disciplinary records -- ask your school for an official copy of your transcript. Tell them you want the same thing that will be sent to colleges during the admissions process. It will allow you to see what is on there and correct any mistakes. Some schools will include disciplinary measures and some will only include official out of school suspensions -- you need to see what your school does and confirm it. Most colleges require your guidance counselor to complete a letter of recommendation and one of the questions on that letter asks if there are have been any disciplinary measures taken. Some GC will only mention severe ones -- other GCs might note everytime you were caught with the wrong pass. You need to sit down with your GC and see what they will be doing. If you think these issues are something the GC doesn't even know about (which could be if they were minor) then sit down with your GC and ask them -- something like "I am trying to figure out the college application process. Is there anything in my file that might cause me problems? I don't remember any problems or issues, but I wanted to check with you."</p>
<p>For teacher recs -- providing them with the supplies they need (stamps, envelopes, etc) is a good start. also -- a letter describing why you want to attend that school and why it is a good fit for you, plus your resume listing awards, achievements, activities, etc and a copy of your transcript with test scores and ranking. follow it up with a thank you note -- both to thank them and remind them if they haven't done it.</p>
<p>momof2sons is correct -- but I wasn't sure you were talking about serious disciplinary measures. It seemed like you were more concerned about minor infractions -- like a detention or being sent to see the principal. Each school is different in what they consider severe -- so find out. Generally minor infractions are not reported unless you have a long history of narrowly avoiding a suspension.</p>
<p>I don't think the common app refers to simple detentions when it asks about disciplinary actions, but more serious suspensions etc
You are well advised to ask your GC about what will go out on your transcript and school report so you can deal with it appropriately</p>
<p>In my experience, if you are honest and confront your mistakes head on and with remorse, a suspension will likely not hurt you in the admissions process</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, but as for the disciplinary.. I've not had any problems such as suspensions, but I'll check with guidance. It was just a small discussion with friends, and we couldn't figure it out</p>
<p>As for the recommendation process, should I give the letter (with scores, activities, etc) NOW? That'll give my teachers the entire Summer to write it. One of my teachers will be on maternity leave - not coming back to the school next year; however, I'll still keep in touch with her via email, mail, phone, etc in order for her to complete my application. What I'm not sure about is whether the same letter they write may be copy/pasted with every application I give them.</p>
<p>Definitely ask for a transcipt for you to look over. It will have everything the college gets and you should look at it very carefully. My s's transcript showed that he was absent for 50 days in one year instead of 5!!</p>
<p>If you do have disciplinary issues, talk with your guidance counselor and find out exactly what gets reported. The GC also has a form to fill out for your colleges as well as a recommendation - take the time to set up a few appts to go over all this.</p>
<p>Trust me, teachers do not write their recs over summer. At least mine don't, they're all lazy bums.</p>
<p>My teacher asked me to come back at the beginning of next year since there was no way she'd spend her summer writing letters, haha. I'll probably be asking my other teachers in the next few days when they want it, but I'm pretty sure they'll say beginning of next year.</p>
<p>However, it appears that many CCers ask their teachers at the end of the year, so I'd just ask your teacher and see.</p>
<p>No, you set up appt with GC in Sept or whenever you start school. Even if you do ED somewhere, the app doesn't have to be in until what, mid-November? So, spend the summer deciding which teachers you want to ask and have everything prepared and ready to give them by the 2nd week of school. Make sure you let them know when you would like the recs to be mailed or completed for you to mail. I'd give them 3 weeks. Oh, and do yourself a favor and have your essays written before school starts.....</p>
<p>your school district office should be open year round and you can request an official copy of your records at any time -- check at the district office on how to do this. You would be surprised at how often there are mistakes in the records. My son showed that he had failed a class -- when actually he was never enrolled (they enrolled him in 2 classes in the same period). it never showed up on the report card or on the computer.</p>