<p>DS just found out that he is the recipient of a major award. It's a district award, given to 12 seniors at each high school. It's evidently a big deal (12 out of 600 students at his school). BUT....while we know about it, the formal announcement won't be made for another 6 weeks.</p>
<p>He is waiting on 1 school (his 3rd choice) and the honors college of his first choice school. Should he contact the admissions/honors college folks and let them know about this award - or should he just skip it?</p>
<p>If you have concerns, then be sure to inform his college counselor of the award, so he is in the loop and can verify it with the colleges, if they ask for confirmation.</p>
<p>D1 was awarded an extracurricular activity position that definitely was a plus for her application. We stopped by the college counselor’s office to ask him about the process of informing the one school she was most interested in, and while we stood there, he picked up the phone and called the school. Not only did he update them on this activity/her position, he used a few moments to reiterate what a solid student she was and how highly he recommended her (even though he was not one of her teacher recommendations). She not only was admitted to a very competitive program (and invited to join the honors college) at this college, but got an impressive scholarship to go with it.</p>
<p>I would say that it was perhaps early March when our GC phoned D’s applied-to-school, because the acceptance letter came within three weeks at the most. I still think a phone call is more effective. Then the GC can ask what documentation the school would like for him/her to send them. But you have the personal interaction.</p>
<p>^He should call from where he is. However, that is just an advice. That is what we would do, you should do the best under your own circumstances.</p>
<p>I understand - and agree - that he should be the one contacting the GC. But he is either in clinics or performing during the day and the chance that he would actually get thru to the GC when he had a break is slim. Technically - he’s not supposed to have his phone with him during events like this. But, if he did manage to call - most likely he would have to leave a mesage, then she would try to call him back, but his phone would be off because he’s playing…</p>
<p>I would prefer for him to do this, but under these circumstances we can’t wait and hope that he is able to get thru.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s a problem if hte parent or the GC sends in information for the kid, especially if the kid is not available. Yes, ideally the major portion of student-college communication should come from the applicant, not the applicant’s parents, but sending in a notification of an award is really not going to be counted against anyone.</p>
<p>^He will be fine, it is not that important, his GPA, Score, EC’s are much more important. Good luck, whatever his goal. Looking back, sometime mistakes end up being plusses, not minuses.</p>