Very...very late counselor recommendation

Hi guys

So I remember sending my counselor a request to submit my counselor rec in probably November. When I came to check on her a few days before Hotchkiss’ due date, she said she only JUST received the request a few days ago before I came to talk to her in person. I believe it might’ve been a technical issue and an AO said the original request may have just went to spam. Nevertheless, she told me she won’t be able to get it done by the deadline and will be working on it.

However, it’s been almost a month. Hotchkiss has sent me an email saying my app might not be considered if she doesn’t turn it in soon. I’ve emailed her two times since then because I’ve already bothered her way too much this year and for some reason she hasn’t been at school so I can’t talk to her in person either. My Andover and Middlesex app is also waiting on her.

I’m going to ask the office where she is today and see what I can do from there. I’m freaking out because I don’t want my application to not be considered. Do any of you guys have advice?

Thank you.

You may want to get a parent involved as well as the principal. The mess up is understandable, but the fix needs to be a priority. If this teacher can’t turn it around quickly, can another one? You need to know whether she will do it pretty much immediately.

Make sure this stays focused on the solution and doesn’t start involving blame.

Is there anyone else that could write it quickly?
If not, go to the principal with the concern and explain the situation.

I agree with both the above comments. If there isn’t another counselor in the office, you need to go above the individual. I believe your applications will be reviewed if the reference is submitted asap. Is there a Registrar? Do you have an advisor to go to?

Persevere, talk to the colleges you’re applying to and explain the problem, see if anyone else can write it… one of my teachers was really late in submitting my recommendation and like you, I couldn’t talk to her in person because I’ve left school and I know how stressful it is sending off hundreds of emails begging them to hurry up but I’d rather that than be rejected because of something like that.

@HhopefulFforSsuccess2021 - is this public school? 8th grade? Is applying for private or BS rare at your school?

@sunnyschool I attend a public middle school and I am in the 8th grade. I would believe that applying to private schools is rare at my school.

@gardenstategal I’m told my dad about the situation today and I’m going to try to talk to the principle tomorrow. I will also be calling some schools today. Thanks for your advice!

@SoapyMango I’m going to call the schools today and tell them about the situations. My counselor apparently has the flu and isn’t going to be at school for a few more days and hasn’t checked my emails so I’m going to see if my principal can do it. I don’t really have anyone else to go to except for the counselor and the principal. Thanks for the advice!

@greenstudent Did your app still get considered? Thanks so much for the advice. I’m going to call the schools today and tell them about my situation.

Another thing…I found out today that my counselor is out with the flu and will not be back for a few days.

Update: Andover will send me a form that I will bring to the office to fill out (Thank goodness!)

Hotchkiss will wait but I might call them again

I will also call Middlesex, the last school.

My teacher got it in a month after the deadline, and all the schools are still considering it. Best of luck, it’s such a shame when this should be when the application stress is over!

@greenstudent Your story is so reassuring to hear! Thanks for your understanding and response!

From a Middlesex email that they sent out earlier (December 2016):

So for Middlesex you still have a couple days. You can always call and explain your circumstance and ask if they would be willing to extend the deadline a bit.

Isn’t a principal/counselor recommendation? So couldn’t your principal do it? I only ask because DD applied to Hotchkiss and her school does not have a counselor, so it had to go to someone else.

Good Luck!

@Atria I remember that! Thanks for bringing it up for me. Hopefully my counselor will be able to finish it by February 10th.

@makp715 I found that out yesterday! I’m going to check into the office this morning and ask if my principal is okay with filling out the recommendation for my counselor for Andover, and hopefully all my other schools!

@SoapyMango Thank you!