<p>Yeah, and that’s all fine and dandy at a jr. prep where the teachers understand that comments are probably going to be shared with admission committees and aren’t just off-the-cuff notes to parents. And it’s all honky-dory when the parents at the jr. prep understand that the report card gets sent in and that the comments that they’ve been reading are going to be read by the Admissions Committee so that the application essays and other recommendations can address any weakness that might be raised or expound on any other gems and pearls that might be sent in via the report cards.</p>
<p>But, for the rest of the world…</p>
<p>…where teachers aren’t writing for an admission committee audience and parents are asking that their child’s grades be sent in, it behooves the applicant and parents to get clarification as to what’s being sent in; try to influence that decision if it’s not to their liking; alert this year’s teachers in all subjects that their comments are going to be part of an application (if applicable); and then ensure that the application is submitted with some cognizance of what the school has sent in to the boarding schools.</p>
<p>*That’s * the point. That’s the lesson. You may not need to bother with that lesson and the point may be something you’re already on top of. I suspect, however, that for the majority of applicants and their parents, it’s something they haven’t considered and could benefit from by knowing how it works.</p>