<p>I've read about colleges offering free applications and even applications that don't require recommendations. D's high school limits the number of apps to seven, so if she can submit an additional one or two that don't require her high school's involvement, that would be great! Am I dreaming up these things?</p>
<p>also called "fast track applications". saw mailings directing the student to apply using the "fast track" application at the school's website..........the mailing includes a user id for the student to access the online app...........if i remember right.</p>
<p>Read the offer carefully, as it may still require an official HS transcript, which could be counted against your total.</p>
<p>Most of the freebies and express offers S received last summer came from schools that he visited where he exceeded their middle 50%. Even so, I am pretty sure he had to have the school send transcripts.</p>
<p>Colleges with "fast track" and majority of colleges with regular admission (e.g., most public universities) do not require recommendations. However they will usually require a HS transcript and often some statement (like a verification of grades, student in good standing, and of courses being currently taken)) signed by a counselor.</p>
<p>Do they only allow 7? Really? Do they say why? Is it money? Time? hassle?</p>
<p>It seems unfair, so has anyone asked? Could kids pay for extra above the 7? Mailing out ten transcripts isn't harder than 7, I help do it at Ds HS?</p>
<p>I would argue against the policy...I can understand keeping it reasonable, but 7 seems a bit low considering the climate and financial aid problems</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I would argue against the policy...I can understand keeping it reasonable, but 7 seems a bit low considering the climate and financial aid problems<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>And especially if the work is not much more on the teachers/gcs end if the common app is used.</p>
<p>Yes, I know that seven applications is on the low side. (sigh) D's school is a large, urban public, with only three college advisers for 750 juniors. I will ask about raising the seven-app limit, but I don't think it will be a successful plea.</p>
<p>Even one or two more applications would help. </p>
<p>Actually, it's not quite as bad as it seems. We were told that four SUNYs can go on one application. That leaves six for private colleges and OOS publics.</p>
<p>And D can't do ED because we need to compare fin-aid packages.</p>
<p>Not the best situation, but we have to make the best of it!</p>
<p>Perhaps you could explain to the gc that you do need to compare financial aid packages, and that is why you need to apply to more than 7 schools. Tell them that you are unsure that you would want a SUNY as a safety for your D. Can they really limit you to seven? I have read these limits before, but I wonder what happens if it is challenged. I find it very unfair only b/c of the cost of college.</p>
<p>If my HS told me no more transcripts I would very politely email the district's super and ask very nicely to make the tuition check out for my child's college. I could see them charging a nominal fee above a certain number of transcripts sent, but to say NO means they're on the hook. Somebody made a silly policy that the top isn't (or at least the top's legal counsel isn't) aware of. </p>
<p>This past year my child's NMF paperwork was stuck in a desk 3 weeks after the day it was supposed to be given to the student. We only knew the time table because this was our second NMF. I let the district super know very nicely that if the NMSCorp wasn't going to allow the application, the distict will "buck up" for the loss. Things got moving. </p>
<p>You need to ask nice, and then ask the super nicely. If still NO, then very nicely mention "I don't want to sue..but" It works.</p>
<p>cgm....</p>
<p>I think that it's great that your kids' school lets you help with the transcript process. It seems like a great idea -- do they have you sign a confidentiality paper since you're seeing others' grades?</p>
<p>I questioned the policy with one of the college counselors, and she said to drop the principal a note. Maybe exceptions are made on a case by case basis. What I want to do is get other parents onboard first.</p>
<p>I believe if you do your 7 appl early fall and then ask later to add 2-3 more nobody will raise any issues with it. If you do SUNY schools as one appl it really might be enough to compare fin aid. As long as you choose schools with fin aid in mind to begin with and your child has strong appl for those schools- 7 schools should be plenty. Make sure you know if it is IM or FM, CSS or FAFSA only, run your fin aid calculator to figure out your FAFSA numbers. It is still a guess but calculated one.</p>