<p>Regarding LORs, I would suggest putting it in a stamped addressed envelope and bringing to the teacher and sealing it in his/her presence and asking for him/her to sign it on the seal. I suspect the school will pay more attention to it.</p>
<p>ShawSon was partially homeschooled and partially highschooled so we had the two letters of recommendation from teachers plus the GC letter, which were sent by the school, and letters from the Superintendent of Schools, a Tufts professor, a professor from Harvard summer school (who taught expository writing, a very important piece of info for a severely dyslexic kid), and a Harvard grad student who did the math homeschooling. The math tutor gave him signed/sealed envelopes or and the others sent it themselves except for the summer school teacher. Interestingly enough, the registrar gave him copies of his HS teacher letters and the GC letter and each of the four other recommenders sent him a copy as well. In contrast, at ShawD’s school, they won’t write letters if you don’t waive your right to see them.</p>
<p>I am having a negotiation with ShawD’s school regarding the school profile, which does not include a table that shows percentage grade equivalents to the various letter grades (e.g., A is 93-100, A- is 90-92, … or whatever the ranges are). This matters not a whit to US schools, but Canadian students get percentage grades and Canadian schools use these in deciding who to admit and explicitly when they describe entrance scholarships (which are merit rather than financial aid). Indeed, sometimes it says, you can’t apply to a particular program if your average is below 85% or are only eligible for this terrific scholarship if your average is above 95%. Unlike most school’s ShawD’s school does not provide this information as part of the school profile, though they do provide a distribution of grades per subject (though not per course, I would guess). I have been concerned that this would disadvantaged students (ShawD in particular) because ShawD’s private school grades harder than lots of American public schools (a forced curve with a B- median, some teachers haven’t given A’s in several years, …). </p>
<p>Today I spoke with the admissions counselor from one of ShawD’s preferred Canadian schools to ask her about how they handle not getting the equivalency table. They’d do it sensibly, but unless they knew the school was hard, they might assign lower percentage grades than ShawD’s teachers would have intended, which could disadvantage ShawD and her classmates. This is especially true in the area of entrance scholarships as ShawD is likely to be well above where they cut off on admissions.</p>
<p>But, the one amazing thing that I learned was that this admissions counselor had been trying to visit our school when she is in the area (in part to meet ShawD, who visited the university this summer) and our guidance office hasn’t returned her messages. I’ll relay this to the GC.</p>
<p>Regarding LORs…of course my D is waiving her right to see them, but I just got to wondering: will she EVER be able to see them? If she were to request her hs or college records years from now, would they be there?</p>
<p>I don’t know why I’m asking this, really. Just thinking it would be nice to see them someday.</p>
<p>I think the times when graduated students come back and hang out with those teachers who meant a lot to them are really special. I bet your D will be able to guess what they said!</p>
<p>I had an interesting experience today, really quite gratifying. My D has chosen to be a TA for her choir class. This means she helps students learn their music, helps organize choir materials (like the huge music library), does computer work for the teacher, etc. She’ll get to work on writing arrangements for the various groups and also learn about their recording equipment. The teacher is thrilled to have this extra pair of hands, too, and their relationship is really quite lovely.</p>
<p>Today I went in to help sort some things, as a parent volunteer, so I went while she was having her TA hour. It was so nice to be with her in this “senior” role, to see her taking the responsibility, having fun, feeling so invested in the program, giving back. These kids get so busy that there isn’t always time, and I’m pleased that the school gives them this “class” opportunity.</p>
<p>Also I found out while I was there that our school is incredibly lenient about taking days off for college purposes - visits, interviews, auditions, etc. The office told me she can take as many days as she needs, basically. This was a huge relief, because otherwise they have gotten extremely strict about absences. Now I can plan a couple of out-of-town audition trips worry-free.</p>
<p>No. When a student waives the right to see the references, they do not have access to them. If they don’t waive the right, they may see them only if actually enroll at the institution and then ask for them. At least that’s my understanding.</p>
<p>I have written lots of LORs over the years; two students didn’t waive their rights (I can actually remember the two who didn’t!). I have no idea if they ever asked to see the letters.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, Zetesis. That does make sense.</p>
<p>Emmy, that sounds like such an amazing opportunity for your D. How great that she gets to “give back” to her school in a way that is so meaningful for her. I bet she’s having a blast.</p>
<p>FlMM - I hope you weren’t up all night … it’s pretty long. But a lot about eastern schools, DC area up through Boston. I don’t know where your friend stands on big/small or urban/non-urban. Two ends of that spectrum in PA would be Temple and Muhlenberg. I know about artsy theater schools. Not sure about broadcasting/film. There’s also a forum for art/film majors on CC (I don’t have the hang of linking, sorry!).</p>
<p>I have been tempted to send many of my friends to CC - I don’t know how they’re managing this process without it. But then I think: they’ll figure out who I am and how much I am on here…do I really want them to know?</p>
<p>Blue - Hurray! I know the feeling. I can’t quite be happy until the “yes” actually comes, but we are in the same boat as you. I love rolling/priority apps - especially at schools where the kid wanted to go already!</p>
<p>Temple has an excellent reputation for journalism. The downside to that school though is it’s location in a rough section of Philadelphia. Muhlenberg is very close to me and has a very good local reputation.</p>
<p>FLmathmom, has your friend looked at Ithaca College? We visited it at the end of the summer and while it didn’t ring any chimes for my son, their broadcast journalism college is top notch. One of my daughter’s friends graduated from there three years ago and is now working at CNN. [Television-Radio</a> (B.S.) - Ithaca College](<a href=“Admission | Ithaca College”>Admission | Ithaca College) The town of Ithaca is also home to Cornell so it’s a real college town. Their theater program is also top notch.</p>
<p>edit - I just looked at your post again FLmathmom, and saw that your friend’s child is perhaps a low B student. In that case Ithaca and Muhlenberg will probably both be reaches. Muhlenberg does have a very active Jewish population.</p>
<p>Stopped at Target last night and got an XL Twin foam mattress topper and mattress pad for 30% off. D1 asked what if the college didn’t use XL Twin beds? I told her that all colleges did, and if she ended up going to the only college in the US that doesn’t use them, I would just give them to someone else going to a normal college. </p>
<p>Anyway, worth checking out your local Target. There are sheets and comforter sets as well, but no self respecting female is going to be interested in choosing colors and patterns a year in advance before consulting with her out-there-somewhere-but-unknown-for-now roommate(s).</p>
<p>I told D about asking the GC to send in the teacher recommendation along with the rest of the stuff. She didn’t think that would be an issue.</p>
<p>She just found out yesterday that she has to chair a major fundraising/community service event next month (she’s the community service chair in NHS). NHS usually just helps out with this - but this year, the family that normally runs this event is not going to be able to do it and NHS is going to do it all. She’s jumping up and down in excitement - she’s loves the idea of taking care of it all. Mom here is wondering how any of the other stuff will get done This is a kid who’s very single minded - once she sets her mind to it, her complete focus is on that task - so I am sure she’ll do a great job with the event, but not so sure what will happen with the grades and the apps :(</p>
<p>Thanks EmmyBet and Kathiep for the info. I passed it along to my friend as well as the Jewish schools site reference. I did not read the dozens of pages therein. I left that pleasure to my friend altho I sure am hoping she doesn’t come hunting me down on this site. Oh well, what is done, is done. With three kids, two dogs and one job, she has better things to do with her time than to read my two hundred posts!</p>
<p>Speaking of bargains, I was in ODD LOTS today and they had a Dorm Set for $50. If I remember correctly it included a comforter, sheets, pillows, pillowcases, shams, throw, bulletin board, hamper and a few other things. All they had left were 4 blue plaid sets. Have no idea of the quality.</p>
<p>Earlier this year I was contacted once by someone doing a dissertation about social networks etc and she wanted to interview me because of being here on CC…she gave me her profs name etc and I would have been mentioned by name etc in the research paper etc…
I declined for privacey of kiddo who is still in the process…</p>
<p>I think the issue is how social networks and internet allow people to share etc…the creative synergy, support and so on…
and places like this are bound to attract attention from NYT etc. </p>
<p>Don’t know if any of you have read through that thread–frankly I like it–
The kids who were posting–(taking the time to be thoughtful) had some interesting responses…
And I feel it gives the kids a chance to look at what their passions are–who they are and consider where they spend their time…
It ws food for thought as we considered kiddo’s essays.
In a word, I find it charming and if I was reading apps–those quirky things that show a more 3D view of the candidate are all good!</p>
<p>The NYT gets so much milage out of us. It would be nice if they shed us in a positive light once in a while! I was so glad to see the OP of the ‘Hidden EC’s’ thread write a response and put that into perspective.</p>
</p>
This is a kid who’s very single minded - once she sets her mind to it, her complete focus is on that task - so I am sure she’ll do a great job with the event, but not so sure what will happen with the grades and the apps :(</p>