<p>I was just wondering about how other schools handle this....</p>
<p>Our high school takes ED applications quite seriously. The college counselor has a file with each students college applications, and each student who is applying ED or to a restrictive EA program has an identifying color tag on his folder .</p>
<p>Our semester exams are not until the middle of January. As a result, midyear grades are not available until the end of the month. ED decisions are in by then.</p>
<p>Our GC will not send out midyear grades for any student with a tagged file until she has seen the student's ED decision results--they need to bring in a copy of the letter to her. If the student "forgets" she just calls the admissions office of the college in question.</p>
<p>Most colleges will not make a decision on applications without seeing those first semester senior year grades.</p>
<p>If the student has a reason for not wanting to honor an ED admission, she then meets with the student and the family to work with them. If it's a real financial reason, she has the family contact the ED school to see what can be worked out and will let transcripts out to other schools.</p>
<p>Otherwise she just sends transcripts to the ED school and no others. Of course, if the student was not accepted by the ED school she sends transcripts to all of the schools on a student's list.</p>
<p>Students and their parents who apply ED sign a statement saying they understand this policy that is kept in the file.</p>
<p>So far, I have one son who applied ED and one who chose not to. I think the system she has devised is just fine.</p>
<p>But this year a number of parents are upset about signing her statement of understanding. They want midyear transcripts sent to all of the schools on the students' lists even after they may have been accepted ED.</p>
<p>I get it. A number of students at that school plan to unethically keep their options open after getting ED admissions.</p>
<p>I hope that you're putting in writing -- with a copy to the principal --- your support of the GC's methods, which help your school's students be respected by admissions counselors, particularly those at colleges offering ED.</p>
<p>I strongly suspect that, at least on one occasion, a student at this high school abused the ED system, the GC didn't catch it, and the college discovered it.</p>
<p>The high school is trying to protect its own reputation by ensuring that nobody abuses the system again. I see no problem with this.</p>
<p>The GC is doing the right thing and smething that I assume is done at many other reputable schools even if it is not spelled out. I concur with the other posters--it would seem that some parents and their children may be trying to keep options open that are, from an ethical point of view, closed.</p>
<p>I think that you GC is acting with a great amount of integrity and is looking our for the best interest of all of the students on her caseload not just 1 or 2 who are looking for possible ways to abuse the system.</p>
<p>Our gc is very good and I really do support her policy, which has been in place for at least the 7 or 8 years I have known her.</p>
<p>Only this year do a lot of parents seem upset by it. Northstarmom has it exactly right, and so does our gc.</p>
<p>I volunteer in the placement office and it's always tense this time of year, but this year it seems the worst it's ever been. And this year I don't even have a student involved in the application process.</p>
<p>I applaud this GC for getting this ED thing signed. The school is protecting its own interests and making the ED application and commitment process CLEAR to those who are choosing to use it. The GC is correct. Please take the time to support this GC in writing to the school adminstration and perhaps the board of education.</p>
<p>I think the GC is doing exactly the right thing, too. She's merely living up to the agreement that both she and the parents entered into with the college, since most ED agreements require the signature of student, parents, and GC.</p>
<p>A lot of parents think rules are only for the masses, but not for their extraordinary child. I hope the GC has the full support of the principal and school board!</p>
<p>There are times that the transcript may be needed early. For instance, in consideration for a scholarship. ROTC selection is another situation. Also if a student is applying to EA schools along with the ED school or rolling admissions schools that transcript is essential or very important. Many programs fill up on a rolling basis and the early bird gets the worm. Also there are some schools out there that don't care if you break an ED agreement. The last reason is an issue, but there are many reasons for wanting an early transcript and hopefully, the GC is considering each request on its merits.</p>
There are times that the transcript may be needed early. For instance, in consideration for a scholarship. ROTC selection is another situation. Also if a student is applying to EA schools along with the ED school or rolling admissions schools that transcript is essential or very important. Many programs fill up on a rolling basis and the early bird gets the worm. Also there are some schools out there that don't care if you break an ED agreement. The last reason is an issue, but there are many reasons for wanting an early transcript and hopefully, the GC is considering each request on its merits.
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<p>I'm under the impression that it is impossible to apply to ED and EA schools at the same time. Am I wrong?</p>
<p>Remember, this GC is only refusing to send out midyear grades for ED students to other schools, which could only happen after ED results. If the student is deferred or rejected, no problem. If accepted, it would be dishonest to apply elsewhere. It's that simple. The fact that some schools don't care doesn't mean that the GC should permit the dishonesty.</p>
<p>The only reason I can think of for the GC to send out midyear reports would be if the ED school gave an obviously inadequate financial aid package. But in that case, I assume, a special exception could potentially be made.</p>
<p>1of42, you are permitted to apply to ED and EA schools at the same time unless any of the schools expressedly forbids it. Single choice EA would be such a situation. In any case rolling admissions, which most state school use, is permitted. </p>
<p>THe GC simply would not send out midyear grades for a student accepted ED. Nor would she automatically send out the end of year transcript to any school other than the ED school.</p>
<p>Special exceptions certainly could be made. Students could truly have some circumstance that occurred that makes ED a problem. Death, illness or other catastrophe would fall into that category. Inadequate aid another. But these have to be discussed and cleared with the GC,</p>
<p>There are students who do get away with this. They may lie about getting in ED or about a family situation. And the counselor just may not care and not follow up. The schools involved may not care. It does happen. Cheaters often do not get caught. But there is a risk, and the consequences can be harsh. THe GC or the school just might take umbrage to the situation and make an example of you. The GC might have had someone who did the same thing last year and was reprimanded so she is on alert. She may report your lack of integrity to your other colleges with or instead of that final transcript. And the college spurned may send out an inquiry to your GC, and advise your other colleges of your duplicity. Many things can happen to make the situation difficult. So why do it? If you have a good reason to back out, you have to give it or take the chance of being blacklisted.</p>
<p>
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I'm under the impression that it is impossible to apply to ED and EA schools at the same time.
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<p>ED agreements always include a commitment to withdraw other applications, and some EA programs discourage applying ED anywhere, but I think there are combinations of college rules (although I don't know of any examples) such that one could apply ED to the ED college, and EA to one or more EA colleges, without breaking the rules of any before the date when the ED result is announced. I cannot think of a way, of course, that one could apply to two ED colleges at the same time.</p>
<p>S's GC made it very clear to the ED candidates that he expected their other applications completed, and essays written and on file in his office-- just in case.</p>
<p>Just a little note-- ED decisions are sent out around Dec. 15, and that seems to be way before most HS have finished the first semester, so the decisions are based on first 1/4 grades, rather than first semester grades. Quarter grades should be getting done around now. I would say that semester grades are sent as a support to the decisions.</p>
<p>ED and EA decisions are usually made without the first quarter grades. Those students who do not have a strong academic record or have not yet taken "heavy" course or show a downward trend can be deferred if they are not clearly above the midpoints of the college. Such students are not good candidates for early programs as their first semester performance is crucial to the decision</p>