<p>absweetmarie-
My point is that the parent letter is not really fair and it makes the parent(s)’ ability to capture their child on paper part of the assessment. I don’t want to be writing that letter, but if I have to I’m going to write an honest letter but tailor it to the school in question.</p>
<p>As to “reading tea leaves”, that’s unfortunately part of the college application process. Should your student write her essay on her love of theater, the death of her father or coming out as bisexual? Certainly not the third if she’s applying to Christian colleges. Do you think students are really telling admissions officers in interviews that their favorite class is their favorite because the teacher assigns next to no homework? Nope. The reason they’ll report will be the challenge or the fascinating subject matter or the way the teacher makes the material come alive.</p>
<p>And for families of less than perfect kids, do you think any of them would really write, “My child’s a nice average white kid who would prefer to spend his weekends playing video games and hanging out with his friends”? No. That parent’s going to talk about his sense of humor or kindness or his diligence on last year’s science project. The first description might be the most honest but what parent in their right mind would use it?</p>