GMU -- letters of rec are "suggested"? Does it matter?

[Anonymous]

If you have a 3.8 or higher, and an SAT in the upper 80's percentile.... does it even matter if you don't send letters of recommendation to GMU with your application?

GMU's website says 2 LOR are suggested. As a parent, I don't really have a lot to offer my kid's counselor as a foundation for a counselor's LOR. My DS isn't really "involved" in things. What do you think? Can we just skip this for GMU?

[Anonymous]

Please do it.

Your kid probably has a resume. If they are part of a club or play an instrument, that person can write a letter.

If they have a 3.8, choose the teacher for a class where they receive good comments.

My child got a great letter from a music teacher even though they are not "in the band". This teacher wrote about how my child's personality makes class more fun, and how he's quick to offer manual labor (setting up music stands, loading instruments) instead of how they play.

Lots of teachers in the are went to GMU for classes. Finding an alumni would not be very hard.

[Anonymous]

Most schools have a form to fill out to provide information for the counselor’s letter. Same form can assist teachers. When a college says something is recommended, take that as a nice way to say required.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the school. DS should ask the counselor if GMU expects one. If so, the counselor should be able to do one. Your DS should be able to give the counselor some suggested content.

[Anonymous]

Won’t you need a letter for other schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please do it.

Your kid probably has a resume. If they are part of a club or play an instrument, that person can write a letter.

If they have a 3.8, choose the teacher for a class where they receive good comments.

My child got a great letter from a music teacher even though they are not "in the band". This teacher wrote about how my child's personality makes class more fun, and how he's quick to offer manual labor (setting up music stands, loading instruments) instead of how they play.

Lots of teachers in the are went to GMU for classes. Finding an alumni would not be very hard.

How do you know what the teacher wrote? I thought you waive the right to read the letters?

[Anonymous]

If it's the only place kid is applying to, sure you could probably skip. However, assuming the letters will be needed for other schools, they will also be available to GMU through Common App when they are uploaded.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the things required for college applications are good developmental pushes for kids anyway. Recognizing that you should be making enough of a connection/impression to ask for a letter of recommendation is a good thing to learn in HS because you'll need to be aware of it during college and beyond too. Pushing yourself to make that somewhat awkward request of a teacher is also good. Likewise writing essays where you communicate who you are and what your goals are. When your kid is planning to go to a fairly easy admit school for their own goals, you're actually in a great position to support their learning--push them to do all the application things on their own because the stakes of having them be slightly sub-optimal doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do it.

Your kid probably has a resume. If they are part of a club or play an instrument, that person can write a letter.

If they have a 3.8, choose the teacher for a class where they receive good comments.

My child got a great letter from a music teacher even though they are not "in the band". This teacher wrote about how my child's personality makes class more fun, and how he's quick to offer manual labor (setting up music stands, loading instruments) instead of how they play.

Lots of teachers in the are went to GMU for classes. Finding an alumni would not be very hard.

How do you know what the teacher wrote? I thought you waive the right to read the letters?

In one case they shared it with me (I didn't ask).
In the other case, the teacher cut and pasted some key phrases on the report card as comments.

I did waive the right to see the letters, but they opted to tell me nice things about my kid.
Thank you gifts (small) are going out for graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anything that is suggested for a college application you should consider mandatory. Why wouldn’t you put your kid in the best position to get in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do it.

Your kid probably has a resume. If they are part of a club or play an instrument, that person can write a letter.

If they have a 3.8, choose the teacher for a class where they receive good comments.

My child got a great letter from a music teacher even though they are not "in the band". This teacher wrote about how my child's personality makes class more fun, and how he's quick to offer manual labor (setting up music stands, loading instruments) instead of how they play.

Lots of teachers in the are went to GMU for classes. Finding an alumni would not be very hard.

How do you know what the teacher wrote? I thought you waive the right to read the letters?

In one case they shared it with me (I didn't ask).
In the other case, the teacher cut and pasted some key phrases on the report card as comments.

I did waive the right to see the letters, but they opted to tell me nice things about my kid.
Thank you gifts (small) are going out for graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a 3.8 or higher, and an SAT in the upper 80's percentile.... does it even matter if you don't send letters of recommendation to GMU with your application?

GMU's website says 2 LOR are suggested. As a parent, I don't really have a lot to offer my kid's counselor as a foundation for a counselor's LOR. My DS isn't really "involved" in things. What do you think? Can we just skip this for GMU?

OP
Is your child part of the program (I think it is Falls Church City) where if you reach a certain GPA, you automatically get a spot of GMU?

If so, I'd still do it (for the experience) but people may be giving your feedback that is not so helpful because you are in a unique situation.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

GMU is the only place DS plans to apply.

I think some of the PPs missed my comment about how DS is not involved in anything. I don't need to hear how this is stupid/short-sighted/my failure as the parent/etc./etc. The reality is, as a student finishing junior year, he was not inclined to "join" anything. He is not in band/chorus/orchestra. He goes to school, and he comes home and codes for his video game, or he plays video games. It is what it is.

So, now that we are looking toward the fall and he intends only to apply to GMU (for com sci), I have very, very little to put on the parent's version of the form that goes to the counselor (to support the LOR). I am aware of the parent's form and the student's form. I did this once before for an older kid who also was not a joiner, but had a somewhat unique interest that was related to her major, plus she had a couple of jobs and volunteer thing that was not related to school. So, I fed the counselor some nuggets to use for the LOR.

But, with DS -- I have very very little. He hasn't had a job. Isn't involved in any extra curriculars. He did a few computer gaming competitions (but ,that's not really something to brag about). OTher than that, he codes. He's pretty smart, but also not ambitious.

So, is it fine to not submit LORs for GMU.

[Anonymous]

And yes, I have told DS that he needs to take charge of the application process and set out a list of dates and the things he needs to request or submit. So, I am pushing him to be active in HIS decision. There is only GMU on his list. By his choice. I expect the transcript and SAT are good enough for admission. Just wondering if anyone can confirm that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a 3.8 or higher, and an SAT in the upper 80's percentile.... does it even matter if you don't send letters of recommendation to GMU with your application?

GMU's website says 2 LOR are suggested. As a parent, I don't really have a lot to offer my kid's counselor as a foundation for a counselor's LOR. My DS isn't really "involved" in things. What do you think? Can we just skip this for GMU?

The real question is where else are you applying??