Such A Mess!!

Parents Forum
1

<p>I feel like applying online is so messy...</p>

<p>those teacher rec forms you print out and give to them and then the teahcer had to write see attatched and everyones mailing them in at diff times</p>

<p>sat scores are all sent at different times.. im not even taking my last sat subject test til november</p>

<p>essays are just file attatchments? ugh</p>

<p>how do i send in my resume...just mail it in with a piece of paper over it with my name and SS number and everything? plus some colleges, like university of delaware, has a place for activities on their online app...do i even bother sending in my resume then? repetitive?</p>

<p>im doing fee waivers so i have to process all those forms...</p>

<p>WHY IS THIS SUCH A MESS. i wish i had done paper apps and send it in all neatly with my essays and resumes all nicely typed and all sent together with my info. but its too late cuz i did part 1 submissions online already. ughh</p>

<p>anyone else feel my pain?
advice?</p>

2

<p>It is painful! It's awful! My son can't figure out how to get his teacher recs organized (which really doesn't matter since, in my opinion, he seems to have NOTHING organized yet) - I think that's the trickiest one. </p>

<p>I guess you better make some sort of a chart so you know everything has been done. Send in your resume just like you have planned on here. Fill out both the online activity thing and send your resume.</p>

<p>I presume the colleges make some sort of file for each kid and when it's complete they mark it as such. The problem is, how do they know when it's complete??? </p>

<p>I got abused on another thread here for trying to suggest ways to simplify this whole thing. (REALLY abused - someone accused me of being a Bushie!!! ;) ) Maybe most people think it's fine, I don't know.</p>

3

<p>Regarding teacher recommendations:
Many teachers will write one recommendation letter and either make it general ("your university) or change the name of any school mentioned so it can be used for multiple schools. We don't have a teacher recommendation form at UVA, but at schools where they are used, it's not uncommon for a few recommendations to come in as just letters, without any form.</p>

<p>Application processing in general:
Even before online applications became the norm, credentials usually came in separately. Some high schools managed to put everything in one, big envelope, but I would not say that was ever the way a majority of applications arrived at the schools at which I've worked.</p>

<p>As items come in, processing staff date stamp the pages and logs them into a computer system (a quick look at the computer screen can tell us if an application is complete). If an applicant hasn't submitted an application, schools often file the credentials in some sort of holding file. When the application is submitted, a file is created and staff members go into those holding files and pull letters or transcripts that arrived previously, so they can be added to the student's file.</p>

<p>At some schools, someone will go through the holding file every few weeks or so to make sure credentials that should be in a student file aren't still there. In addition, if a student's file is only missing one or two items, many schools will email them to make sure they're aware of that.</p>

<p>Most schools provide a check list and plenty allow students to monitor their status online, so they can be sure transcripts and recommendations made it to the admission office.</p>

4

<p>Just keep a chart/spreadsheet/checklist, so you know you have sent each item for each school requesting it. If you are very thorough, you will check to see that each school has actually <em>received</em> these items: some have online status checks, some return your postcards or send their own; some email; some you have to call yourself if you want.</p>

<p>Then.... don't worry about how everything comes in at a different time, essays are file attachments etc. The schools are looking at the substantive portrait of you. In many cases, the admissions rep may not even see things in the format you send, because a clerical person compiles, prints out, etc. </p>

<p>You will get through this. You will get through this. You will get through this. :)</p>

<p>edit: crossposted with Dean J. He is the horse's mouth. I am just a cheerleader and discourager of needless worry :rolleyes:</p>

5

<p>Thanks for that reply Dean J. </p>

<p>How do the schools know for sure an application is done? For instance, if your kid is taking the SATs again, or the teacher is slow in sending in the rec., or whatever. Do they ever pull a file for review prior to the drop-dead-app date because they think it's done?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

6

<p>My kids HS wanted paper applications. (Maybe that was a good thing afterall). They wanted to have the "package" including application, HS transcripts, teacher recommendations, sent up together as a completed product. They also insisted that all applications be given in by December 1- so that the Registrar could gather all the info and send it out to the colleges before the Xmas break. This was actually wonderful, as it forced the kids to get the apps in by Dec. 1 without the parents nagging. The HS was fairly strict about it, as there were always a few seniors out on 12/1 and 12/2 finishing up their applications.<br>
Even though the colleges do seem to prefer on line submission, it does seem to lead to alot more complications, as I can imagine they will be receiving separate mailings from individual teachers, HS, and collegeboard scores.<br>
The main reason why our HS discouraged on-line applications is that they had too many kids who would apply on line and forget to tell the registrars office to send out the transcript and Recommendations. Though the HS is controlling the process, we have been very lucky that our guidance/registrar's has really stayed on top of everything. And this is from a public HS with a graduating class of about 300 kids.</p>

7

<p>marny: My sons' HS did the same thing -- up until last year, when they gave up! Too many kids were stills ending in apps online, kids didn't like the forms that had to be done by hand (a few are like that), parents were complaining about having to pay extra (in some cases) for paper apps...</p>

8

<p>And schools seem to be getting stronger and stronger in their preference for online apps. I noticed a huge difference in that respect between fall 2004 when my S did his freshman apps and fall 2005 when he did transfer apps.</p>

9

<p>I wouldn't be surprised if it changes in my district too at some later date, but as d # 2 is now freshman in college, it's not going to affect me.<br>
But sometimes, I think the "old fashioned" way of paper applications may in the long run be easier to deal with. You can actually see what the "activity sheet" or essay is going to look like. Sometimes when you do things via computer, the spacing is totally different than how you expected it to look.
And lets be honest- sometimes the way an application looks may make a difference.<br>
D # 1 is actually thinking Law School- so I guess we haven't gotten away from processing "college" applications yet!</p>

10

<p>The online apps we saw for transfer admissions were starting to improve in a number of ways - allowing you to upload essays, format to your liking, use fonts etc, and see them before submitting. The technology will just improve, I think.</p>

<p>Most of the "grids" for online apps were still lacking - hard to fit in even schools you'd attended, courses and grades etc (key info for transfers), not to mention adequately show your ECs.</p>

<p>Still, S was accepted to almost every place. Where he wasn't accepted, I doubt it had anything at all to do with how the app "looked," so I just don't think worry re format is well-placed. </p>

<p>Better to worry about the big issues -like whether it will be Twin XL or regular sheets.</p>

11

<p>At my daughter's school, the students' resumes are submitted by the guidance counselor, along with the counselor recommendation and transcript. </p>

<p>This actually makes sense because the paperwork from the school is submitted in actual paper form, unlike the applications, which are usually submitted online by the student. But unfortunately, it doesn't allow for the possibility that some colleges may not want resumes.</p>

12

<p>This is a bit long. A disclaimer: I'm speaking from my own experience. As I'm sure most of you know, some schools may do things differently. I don't speak for all colleges.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
How do the schools know for sure an application is done? For instance, if your kid is taking the SATs again, or the teacher is slow in sending in the rec., or whatever.

[/QUOTE]
If the required components are in, the file will usually be considered complete and ready to read. Supplements will get filed properly, but if they're coming in past deadline, you can't be sure that they'll be considered.

[QUOTE]
Do they ever pull a file for review prior to the drop-dead-app date because they think it's done?

[/QUOTE]
I'm sure it happens. Plenty of schools will start reading complete applications before the posted deadline, especially with EA/ED apps. Remember that our November is unlike anyone else's November...we read a few thousand applications in a few weeks (which often means no traveling for Thanksgiving for us). Besides, we can't always know that an extra recommendation is on the way. If the required number of recs are in, the application is complete.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
Even though the colleges do seem to prefer on line submission, it does seem to lead to alot more complications, as I can imagine they will be receiving separate mailings from individual teachers, HS, and collegeboard scores.

[/QUOTE]
Applications have arrived separately from transcripts, recs and score reports for years and years. Colleges have been processing credentials for a long time and don't have a problem with this.

[QUOTE]
The main reason why our HS discouraged on-line applications is that they had too many kids who would apply on line and forget to tell the registrars office to send out the transcript and Recommendations.

[/QUOTE]

My personal thought is that most students can manage the application process with lists, charts or spreadsheets. I'd be worried about a student who could forget to submit the required credentials after submitting an application. Most schools have status pages and reminder emails that automatically prompt students to see the process through to completion.</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
The online apps we saw for transfer admissions were starting to improve in a number of ways - allowing you to upload essays, format to your liking, use fonts etc, and see them before submitting. The technology will just improve, I think.

[/QUOTE]
I'm quite proud of the features we add each year (that's one of my responsibilities :) ). We're at a point where the only items coming in by paper mail are transcripts, secondary school report forms, and fee waiver documents (students can submit online, even if they're getting a fee waiver). One of the best parts of online applications is the data trail we have. If an application got lost in the mail, unless it was sent by FedEx or with delivery confirmation, the student has no idea where it is once it leaves their hands. With online applications, they can log in at any time check up on things.
[QUOTE]
Most of the "grids" for online apps were still lacking - hard to fit in even schools you'd attended, courses and grades etc (key info for transfers), not to mention adequately show your ECs.

[/QUOTE]
We use open text boxes. They cut off at a point, but we're clear with the length we expect.</p>

13

<p>My sons did something in-between. They found the on-line applications tend to truncate essays and lists. They used the common app on line, which then prints your information neatly into the form. (or you can hit send and it will go directly)Then they added addendums for essays and such that got truncated by the on-line program. Maybe if they (or I) were more tech savvy we could have found another way.</p>

<p>They also went the postcard route. Our GC office did not mail off any complete packages except in the case of Emory, which required it to arrive that way. Postcards were included in all the stamped envelopes for teacher reqs and any envelope going out to colleges. Most of the schools returned them. At least it cut down on how many items they had to track down.</p>

14

<p>Well, I remember the joys of completing applications with a cranky electric typewriter, so I think that on-line is, in general, the way to go.</p>

15

<p>Oops. A little birdie told me that Dean J is a "she", not a "he." My apologies to Dean J (for my gender mistake in post #4) and thanks for all the help on so many threads. :)</p>

16

<p>I noticed the Georgia Tech has even managed to get transcripts on line (sort of). They have kids self report their grades and courses on their online application. Then they only look at transcripts after kids are committed. (They also specify NO teacher recs or reumes or anything not on their form.) I wonder if many other schools do that? I kind of like it -- it puts the ball in the kid's court entirely, and they don't have to rely on the guidance office for anything really.</p>

17

<p>Michigan, Michigan State and maybe a few others big schools in that state pooled their money to pay for an online transcript system for the high schools and community colleges. Everything is electronic now in that state. </p>

<p>We talked about how to do it in Virginia, but I'm not sure we have the funding to impliment such a thing in every high school. It'd be pretty amazing though...students in the system can automatically send transcripts (and get "degree audits" and report cards) through their accounts.</p>

<p>Obviously, if they're applying out of state, they have to do it the "old fashioned way", but if more states buy into the same system, they could potentially do everything online.</p>

18

<p>I hate the fact that my daughter is applying to colleges online. One wrong flick of the mouse and she might hit "send" when the application isn't ready yet. That can't happen with paper applications.</p>

<p>DeanJ, people on other threads are fussing about the possibility that there could be problems if a student sends SAT scores "too early." If SAT scores arrive at your office before an application does, what happens?</p>

19

<p>Colleges opt to get test scores in one of three ways:
-encrypted electronic files (sent by email)
-physical tapes/CD-ROMs/discs
-paper reports</p>

<p>Data from the first two formats are loaded directly into computer systems when they arrive each month. Paper reports are keyed in by hand (I can't imagine who would still do this).</p>

<p>There's no such thing as "too early" with those. The data includes the student's info and will sit in the database until an application arrives.</p>

20

<p>This has been interesting to read. I wish I had read the thread before bothering Weenie with my online vs. paper apps. There is a good spreadsheet form (for those of us who haven't mastered Microsoft spreadsheets) that S printed out. Son gets email questions from college board and spreadsheet was in an email last week.</p>