What would a tepid midterm report do?

Parents Forum
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<p>Our school just posted first semester grades and it is time to order midterm reports (the end of semester transcript plus a two page form that a counselor fills out). </p>

<p>Our counselor is on medical leave. We haven’t been told when she might be back. </p>

<p>As a parent, how worried should I be if the paperwork is shuffled to another desk?</p>

<p>What worries me is that the form asks the counselor “What three words first come to mind when you think of this student?”. There’s also a bubble in section where the counselor can choose anything from a tepid recommend up to an enthusiastic recommend. I know I would have a tough time being enthusiastic if I didn’t know the student.</p>

<p>My S is one of those terrific males that tests great and is a bit . . .casual about turning papers in (he will carry around completed stuff for weeks. It is beyond my comprehension, but there you have it). Teachers usually get a kick out of him. We were hoping that strong SAT scores and strong teacher letters would put some shine on a pretty average GPA. So, how seriously do I take this midterm report stuff? (Semester grades were fine. Usual mix of A’s, A-, B and B-.</p>

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<p>Bumping this up in the hopes that others will comment.</p>

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<p>Honestly, just from what I’ve gathered, the actual grades count more than all that. If he did fine, he should be fine.</p>

4

<p>Yes, can anyone please explain why common app. midyear reports repeat questions about the student’s personal qualities? Wasn’t the initial counselor report enough? Is that there in case the student has an integrity or disciplinary violation since the fall? I ask because D’s counselor also just left the school, and the replacement doesn’t know D from a hole in the wall. I would assume she’d use the previous guy’s files and character assessments, but who knows?</p>

5

<p>I am somewhat reassured this evening as the head counselor said she would confer with one of S’s favorite teachers to complete the form. </p>

<p>I spent a couple of days reading scholarship applications once in my life. It was very interesting. Some references just glowed with happiness and others . . . didn’t. The ones that sparkled definitely helped you put that packet in the “next level” pile.</p>