Current junior, Honor violation, worried about counselor letter, otherwise very good scores/grades

[alfonzo1]

Hello. I’m a junior, and I’m really worried about my counselor letter. In 10th grade I transferred to a new school, and at the start of 10th grade I got in trouble for doing another kids homework for money (Stupid, stupid, stupid, ik, very remorseful). I had an in-school suspension for 2 days (Basically detention, but basically suspension also). I know that it won’t show up on my academic transcript, but I’m worried my counselor is probably going to mention it in my counselor rec letter. Furthermore, I really don’t think she likes me. I’ve had a lot of issues with registering for classes and dual enrollment, and with my transcript when I transferred, so me and my parents and her have been in contact quite a bit, and I think she is just kind of frustrated/annoyed with me. I rlly feel bad bc my mom kinda pesters her abt stuff, and I think it rlly doesn’t reflect very well on me. Maybe she doesn’t hate me, but I doubt she likes me either. Will a poor counselor letter, especially one that mentions an academic violation in 10th grade, ruin my chances of getting into a top school.

Stats
1600 SAT
3.96 UW - 4.58 W
5’s on ap stat, chem, world, spanish lang, english lang, gov
Self studied and got 5’s on precalc, calc bc, physics 1, physics 2

Taking ap bio, ap comp sci a, apush, ap macro/micro, ap english lit, self studying physics c this year
Dual enrolling in local community college this year, transferring to local university for dual enrollment next year

I’m not gonna mention my ecs bc I don’t think they’re super relevant here, but what should I do? I think I’ve grown a lot as a person since then, but I doubt my counselor thinks that, and I’m rlly worried my chances of getting into a good school are kinda in the mud. What do I doooooooo

[skieurope]

I highly doubt the counselor is going to write a poor letter. At worst it would be neutral.

While the main section of the common app doesn’t ask the student about discipline issues, some colleges do ask. Do you should ask the counselor how to answer the question, since your answer should match theirs. But I doubt they are reporting detentions.

[Publisher]

@alfonzo1

What do I do

Stay away from your counselor. Based on what you have shared thus far, both you and your parents have irritated the counselor on multiple occasions. Time to step aside and let the process play itself out.

You did what you did. If asked, be truthful and brief.

Be sure to apply to your in-state public universities.

[Mwfan1921]

@alfonzo1

Will a poor counselor letter, especially one that mentions an academic violation in 10th grade, ruin my chances of getting into a top school.

Well we don’t if they will mention it in their LoR, only way to know is ask them. I’m not necessarily recommending that though…up to you when the time comes. Note if you do ask her, she doesn’t have to answer.

Your biggest issue is that many schools will ask in their common app questions if you’ve had any disciplinary actions in HS. You should answer that truthfully, and yes, reporting an academic cheating/honor violation can potentially be a difference maker in admissions.

[tsbna44]

Tons of schools out there and many will love to have you. And are stat based so they won’t factor the counselor in.

Good luck.