I am going to respectfully disagree with @publisher. AOs are busy and they get a lot of applications. When they put an application aside for whatever reason, they may not go back to it. I would advise your son (or his GC) to send in the principal’s letter, his latest grades with a letter from your son. You clearly know what the principal wrote, so your son’s letter can/should confirm the principal’s letter (most likely just to tell the truth). Ask the AOs if there is any additional information they are looking for because the school is the son first choice and he wants to make sure they have everything to make a favorable decision.
D1 was waitlisted at 2 very high ranking schools (one WL because they didn’t think she would go). I was very aggressive/proactive in getting her off the WLs and it included sending in additional info and having the GC make numerous phone calls. She got off both of those schools’ WL.
There is a balance of being proactive and being a pest. I am pretty certain OP knows the fine line. BTW - I used to make phone calls or write emails on my kids’ behaves when they were applying to colleges and AOs were very receptive. They know there are certain situations a 17/18 year old is not as equipped to handle.
Whatever you want to call it…It’s stuck (on hold) until they have better understanding about disciplinary action, meanwhile they have a lot of applications without any issues that they are processing. Sooner it is taken care of, OP’s son can move on to the next gate.
I was about to use the exact words @oldfort did-- I too respectfully disagree with @publisher. I wouldn’t even call the AO first – if you know the letter and grades are strong positives, I would not ask permission to send them, I just would go ahead. What’s the downside? If they absolutely won’t read new material you are in the same place you are today (and I would be shocked if they would be annoyed at getting a superfluous letter, they see WAY more annoying things). Upside is that this helps. If you then want to call the AO and let them know they were sent, and ask what the process is going forward, sure. Better to ask forgiveness than permission.
This is my thinking as well. I’m afraid that not being proactive and letting the clock tick while other applications are being processed is not a good approach. We are just trying to hit the situation head on and deal with it honestly.
@legalmom: How can you act proactively when you do not have a copy of the school’s report on the matter and you do not know the rules regarding the university’s handling of this matter ?
Moreover, the school’s version may differ from your son’s reported version on the application.
I understand your anxiety, but any action taken now will not stop the review process.
I also understand that you want to influence the review process before a decision is rendered and, while risky, that is a judgment call. Best to know the process before making such a decision. Often folks in this situation contact an attorney experienced in this area.
At this point, are some blowing this up? He has the endorsement of the principal and GC. He did write about this in the app. He was not selling or sharing.
And it’s “deferred pending a review,” not set aside to be ignored.
Yes, I believe they will ponder, reread, possibly consult the GC and/or principal. OP knows it’s strong support from the hs.
Don’t rush ahead calling adcoms. Speak to your resources first: your hs. It may be equally or more effective if the GC or P make the call, have the talk.
This can’t be totally new to the hs. But it certainly is, for son and Mom. If something else is needed, the hs can convey that to DS and Mom.
One step at a time. This isn’t some random kid with a random question, making random contact. Line up your ducks first.
Add. Plus the transcript and letter usually come from the hs. Not the applicant.
I am in the proactive camp. I think there are things that OP can do without jeopardizing/prejudicing the process.
First, talk to the school GC to both know (1) what the HS’s process would be and what type of additional report they would send and (2) if the GC could make further inquiries with UCF to check on the status and next steps. From OP’s post, it seems the HS (especially the principal) is an advocate of the applicant.
Second, if the GC either recommends or at least does not discourage the applicant/parent contact UCF, they should do so, probably by phone so that the communication is two way to see what next steps are, including the submission of any supporting material. I doubt UCF would be surprised by this action or view the OP being a pest. In fact, it shows that the applicant is very serious about wanting to attend the school. I would not want the app to linger in some “hold” pile, which actually could signal a lower level of interest. Even if this will be handled in a set prescribed manner by UCF, I just don’t see the harm in trying to get in front of this.
The potential harm is if the contacts or reports differ in any way deemed meaningful by UCF.
Plus, if OP’s version on the application needs to be corrected, then it may result in an additional violation or concern about lack of truthfulness or failure to fully disclose.
MODERATOR’S NOTE: OK, there has been a lot of back and forth on whether to be proactive or not. I think both sides have been represented. Please move on.
If you have Naviance or the like it’s uploaded to that. Talk again to his HS Counselor. They are there for a reason. No issue reaching out to the principal if he wrote the LOR and ask to send. Anything sent by the applicant or parent could be disregarded as “unofficial” and could make the situation more confusing for the school,in the review process.
But on what basis do you assume that, publisher? OP posted on this before. Why assume, at this late stage, that there’s discrepancy? Why put this entirely in a green kid’s hands, when he’s backed up by professionals who walked that walk before?
What says the versions differ? Or that OP wasn’t truthful before?
Speak with the GC. Then you’ll learn what support and advice. Or steps the hs recommends. Not running to call the college Monday at 8am, knowing zip. The chance of blowing this by rushing, being caught by some odd question, fumbling, etc, is too high to risk.
Let Mom find out.
So far, she’s indicated the letter is strong. No one should say the kid or Mom should call the college without due consideration and a look at what is.
Let’s focus on what Mom/son can do, not all the what ifs. She’s spoken with the GC before. IF DS needs to be there or authorize, cross that bridge when you come to it. A no-brainer.
There’s no reason to rush contacting the college, just because maybe there’s this or that. Imo, that clouds. Sorry.
Learn more. Then be prepared to make best choices.
As I mentioned in my previous post that my kid’s GC was very proactive and knowledgeable about getting my kid off the WL. On the other hand, my friend, whose daughter went to a top public school in Westchester, couldn’t get their GC to do anything. The GC did not believe in contacting the school or sending in additional information would help. My friend ended up putting together a similar package (unofficial transcript, LORs, a letter of continued interest) together as suggested by our GC and she called the AOs regularly on her daughter’s behalf (her daughter was in school all day). Her daughter also got off WL of 3 top 20 schools. It pays to be proactive and not just wait for things to happen.
In the OP’s case, it appears the school is very supportive of the son. I am sure after a discussion with the GC and they Principal, they would agree on what to say to the AOs if they should contact the high school.
OP can have access to her son’s academic records whether he is 18 or not under FERPA. As long as he is a dependent on OP’s tax return and she is paying for his education then she will/can have access. It is also the case when the son is in college.