Teacher/Counselor Reports for Internationals

[lolinho]

<p>Hello everybody!</p>

<p>I'm a German HS senior (13th grade) who is going to apply to American schools via the Common App. I've got a question about the report to be filled out by the guidance counselor.</p>

<p>We have "counselors" at our school, but they teach classes as well and generally don't have much time for counselling. Basically, all they deal with is changing classes, no help for future plans. As a result, I barely ever talk to them, and they don't know me at all besides the statistics.</p>

<p>Now, I realize I can't do anything about that, but I wonder if it will hurt my chances when they end up picking "No basis" for almost all evaluation questions.</p>

<p>Another question: I've spent 11th grade at an American HS as part of an exchange program. Do I have to ask my counselor there to fill out a secondary school report as well? Is it a good idea to have one of my American teachers fill out one teacher recommendation?</p>

<p>Thank you all in advance for your answers.</p>

[lolinho]

<p>bump…</p>

[ratboy90]

<p>I’m also a German student in the same position as yours. I don’t think you should give your “American” counselor or teacher anything to fill out. You were only there for one year and it wasn’t your real school. What I did is I gave the secondary school reports etc. to my “Stufenleiter” probably also what you mean by counselor. If they don’t agree to it you have to give it to your principal. Somebody at your school, where you are registered has to do it. No ifs, ands or buts. I think that universities that you’re applying to will understand that German schools don’t have the same system as in the US, thus not having real counselors. Recommendations should be done by teachers who have taught you on your way to your Abitur, not by teachers who taught you as part of an exchange program. </p>

<p>I’ve sent you a PM so that maybe we can talk outside of this since we’re in the same boat and we can help each other.</p>