<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>So I have this sneaking suspicion that my principal (who wrote as my guidance counselor) simply copied my teachers reference letter. My teacher sent her a copy of his letter for reference. She filled out another scholarship application for me that required a short blurb about the applicant, and it was exactly the same as my teacher's (he let me read it before sending it in).</p>
<p>Will Penn throw my application directly into the trashcan because of that? How screwed am I?</p>
<p>Would really be grateful for some advice as for what I should do too! I spent the last four years preparing my application so I feel a little sad thinking that it may all go down the chute because of this…</p>
<p>T.T</p>
<p>I think that you need some more information. If the principal acting as the guidance counselor copied a teacher’s recommendation, there is something wrong with the process at your school. </p>
<p>My suggestion would be to find out who sent what, and who signed what. If necessary, you might want to consider sending in another teacher rec. This isn’t your fault, though, so it does not reflect poorly on you.</p>
<p>@sakacar3 Thank you for the great advice!</p>
<p>I have sent my teacher an email asking about this. My teacher sent the letter to my principal because he knew me a lot better, and the principal wanted to use something as reference. However, maybe the principal just misinterpreted and used the letter??</p>
<p>I’m not sure about anything anymore. I really do hope this won’t reflect poorly on my application (“wow this kids so mediocre that the principal didn’t even bother writing an original letter”)</p>
<p>Hey! Fellow ED to Penn applicant here.
The best thing to do (though maybe not the easiest) would be to ask your principal flat out if he (or she) copied it or not. Just be gentle with the poor fellow (sounds like he has a lot on his plate since he had to substitute for a counselor). If he didn’t, great! If he did, take a deep breath and call Penn. I’ve met the Dean before and a few admissions officers. They are all very accepting and kind. They will understand. Things happen.
Good luck!!! Hope to see you at Penn next year. 
P.S. I’m from Philly and a bunch of kids from my school go to Penn each year so feel free to message me if you have any questions about the city or school.</p>
<p>@Philly2000 Thank you so so so much!! If I call Penn, how would I explain the situation? Just say that I’m very sorry but it turns out my principal used the same reference letter as my teacher. How would I go about fixing this?</p>
<p>Decisions are coming out on the 11th, so I’m scared everything has already been decided.</p>
<p>Sigh.</p>
<p>bump does anyone know how much this would hurt me as an applicant? It’s not my fault that something like this happened, but how negatively would this reflect on me and my application? Thanks!</p>
<p>To be honest, I doubt your principal would be that stupid. Even if he did directly copy it, that would reflect more on the school, rather than on you. If you think about it in a different way, it could help you by showing that your school is screwed up and you still performed well in academics etc.</p>
<p>@rango141 you’re right! That perspective made me feel a whole lot better! :D</p>