<p>Back to the original topic.... I am here to report, with a nearly unbearable sense of happiness, that my younger son finished submitted all his remaining apps and supplements this afternoon. (He picked up his new motorcycle helmet this morning, and wore it all day as motivation. At least SOMEthing works!)</p>
<p>Since he is my youngest child, that means we are.... DONE. It's a very odd and joyous feeling. I wish its speedy arrival for those of you who are awaiting the day eagerly.</p>
<p>The honors college apps are still lagging :eek:, but at least the regular stuff has been sent in. I'm hoping he can use his honor college app (once he writes it) for a few scholarship apps. This vacation is slipping away so quickly.. "But Mom," he says, "I write better under pressure!" ;)</p>
<p>It's funny that the topic of parent recommendations has come up. I've personally never heard of that before, but our HS requires each parent to write a letter to the GC about the student. Believe me, I spent a lot of time thinking about and writing that letter, and I'm sure large parts of it made its way into the GC rec letter! So, in essence, I think it really amounts to the same thing. Of course, the key to writing a letter like this is to give specific examples or anecdotes to back up all those great qualities you are trying to describe!</p>
<p>
oldfort~</p>
<p>I am really sorry if anything I said has made you feel badly. That was <em>SO</em> not my intention. I was just acknowledging to lorelei how difficult it would have been for me, as a parent, to write something about my child for a college. Is a letter from my best friend biased? Absolutely. In fact, it had better be! ;) Those "extra" optional letters are SUPPOSED to be biased. That is why, at least at Duke, it is expressly stated that they will not be counted in any formal way for admission. </p>
<p>No offense intended. Again, I am sorry if I inadvertently caused any to be taken.</p>
<p>peace, ~berurah</p>
<p>
[quote]
I wrote a rec for my daughter at the only school she applied to that mentioned parent recs - Duke. She wasn't accepted, and I've wondered occasionally whether ot not something I said moved her off the accepted pile into the waitlisted pile. I don't really think so, of course, and fortunately, I'll never know!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I also wrote rec for my DS when he apply Caltech 11 years ago. He letted me wrote the letter but never wanted to read it. He did got in EA and later got their top merit scholarship on his 15th birthday. The letter remained in the computer no longer in use. I do wish that he will read it someday. It took me a good two weeks to write and I never put so much effort into a two page letter.</p>
<p>berurah & lorelei2702: Thank-you for replying. As a first time parent going through this process, one is always sensitive about how involved one should be. It's a constant struggle on how much is too much.</p>
<p>
oldfort~</p>
<p>They don't GET any more involved than I was two years ago! <em>blush</em></p>
<p>I think these other forms of recs are getting more common. my good friend wrote one for her son for Union, which asked for it. My D had to get a peer rec for Wesleyan.</p>
<p>I'm thinking that the schools are aware that they will be "biased," and within that given assumption, are interested in what will be said.</p>
<p>Inverse,
A Caltech applicant asked if he could include a recom from his parents. I said 'no' but perhaps I was wrong. On the other hand, your brilliant S was just 15 and perhaps you were trying to say he was mature enough to handle college? It is up to you if you wish to respond to the applicant's query.
My S didn't want me toread what he put in the 'box'.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Inverse,
A Caltech applicant asked if he could include a recom from his parents. I said 'no' but perhaps I was wrong. On the other hand, your brilliant S was just 15 and perhaps you were trying to say he was mature enough to handle college? It is up to you if you wish to respond to the applicant's query.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I recall that I did ask someone at Caltech about whether I could contribute a recommendation for my son. I was told it depended on whether I could provide useful insight or not. Not just cheerleading. I began my letter with something like this: "I believe that it may be necessary for me to write for DS because of his young age. I believe he is specially gifted and will make useful contributions to science given the opportunity. I will share with you my observations from which my belief is based."</p>
<p>DD just pressed "submit" on her last two apps today, due Feb. 15th and March 1. What a relief for her...not for us. It's on to FAFSA and CSS/Profile!</p>
<p>One and all: we are all thrilled to celebrate each and every button pushing experience....because we have been there and done that. Two years ago ours (notice the collective pronoun) were finished before December 1, and I can still recall the flush and exuberance when it was done. Of course, now for the next step, but at least, so long as they keep their grades up, everything is the way it is going to be, no more second guessing, sacrificing, choosing, just going on with business. Hurrah!</p>
<p>Yay SpringfieldMom, let's celebrate those great kids of ours! (At least the people we have left to fuss at are ourselves now, right? ;) )</p>
<p>One more went out a few days ago (7th of 10), one more is due by Jan. 2 and the other 2 by Jan. 15. I'm forcing myself to step back and let him pace himself on this.</p>
<p>Four applications in, four to go. Profile done, FAFSA pending
Planning on telling my dear son that he needs to get at least the 3 apps that are due 1/15 done today (supplements) before he ventures out for New Year's Eve--LOL</p>
<p>Just getting the first four in was a great relief to us all</p>
<p>Apologies to all who are still waiting for the arrival of the Essay Fairy. He finally arrived at our house but seems to be an exceptionally slow worker. This may delay his moving to other people's houses, so I thought I ought to apologize.</p>
<p>2 more in---one to go for the 1/15 deadline and then one with a 2/1 deadline
The end is near! Yippee</p>