College Counseling Hours during Winter Break?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not PP but similar experience at Stone Ridge except DD did not get into ED. She is doing okay because she and her CC worked out a good strategy and also applied to some schools EA (which she got into). She is debating following up with another 1-2 RD applications. No expectation of true counseling over break as plans were made ahead of time for all sorts of scenarios.

And I’m not sure why you assume someone like Pp (or me by extension) is someone who has been complaining for years but is now suddenly happy. I think we just had reasonable expectations and the CC did a solid job with our daughter.

sounds like you didn’t need help.
That is fine but if you did are you saying they would not answer email?

Not pp, but I think it depends on “when” during break. My kid is not in HS, but I noticed teachers and admins started coming back online after new year’s, even though school was still closed. I’d assume this would be even more true for CC.

We have to. If teachers didn’t spend our breaks working, we wouldn’t have lessons prepared for the day back. It’s also the only time we can get through the backlog of work caused by our over-scheduled days.

But I do not consider myself on-call to students and parents during my break.

Yet every winter, I end up doing last-minute recommendation letters or I end up reading last-minute supplemental essays. And, after years of giving up family time for these requests, I can honestly say I have not been thanked once. Not once.

There is an expectation in some households that I am always on-call. I resent that more than the work itself.

Are you a teacher or College Counselor? Why would you be reading supplementals and preparing lessons?

Also, just a side note can you imagine having this person as your college counselor or teacher? They clearly have disdain for their students, for parents, and clearly hate their job. I can not imagine it is a good situation for anyone especially if they are a college counselor - their disdain for their students would clearly be coming through.

I am an upper-level English teacher, and a very well-regarded one. I work hard, deliver challenging lessons, and support my students. Why do I sound like I hate my job? Because I acknowledged that a few families don’t respect me or my time? Should I *like* the fact I got 4 emails from students on Christmas Eve this year, all “asking” me to proofread their last-minute supplemental emails? One even told me she needed me to do it that day so she could have an stress-free Christmas with her applications behind her. Ironic.

And this is after I voluntarily stayed after school multiple times from August-December, giving up my own time to help students with essays. Again: this is not part of my job. I did this out of support.

So you criticize me because I would appreciate at least a simple “thank you” for doing something that ISN’T my job on a day that ISN’T a workday?

So while I don’t have disdain for my job or my students, I certainly do for you. You are displaying the type of demanding, arrogant behavior only a few parents actually show.

I don’t believe you are a teacher. Sorry no. Students tend to not use school teachers for supplementals. Some
schools have rules against this for equity reasons.

Some schools, perhaps. Clearly not mine. And what would be my purpose for following this thread if it didn’t directly pertain to me? I spent part of my break answering student emails and commenting on college essays.

You’re welcome to question my existence. I suppose that’s easier than accepting that teachers work on behalf of their students over break.

My colleagues, who also receive these requests, would be fascinated by your statement above. We spend a lot of our time each year helping with essays and writing recommendation letters. Who else would be doing this if not the college counselor and the English teachers?

[Anonymous]

I question your existence. Name your school. People should know not to contact you. I can’t imagine that you would put any effort into writing such a last minute recommendation.

[Anonymous]

DP. I am a coach and I have been asked to write many recommendations at the 11th hour because kids added a school and needed an additional letter or just simply waiting until the last minute. I've written every letter a student asked me to write because they are kids and I care very much about the kids I coach. Thank yous, however, are few and fair between. \

Also, DD's teachers absolutely read and commented on several of her supplemental essays. They did this as part of their writing seminar. They also did a workshop where admissions officers gave students feedback on their essays. CCs also volunteered to read anything the students were subitting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

Interesting. So if the CC PP names the school, they will get fired. If a prospective parent asks about this policy, their child will be rejected outright. Why is the school so afraid to have this policy known and to answer questions about it? Why punish people for talking about it?

So surprising neither PP was willing to answer these Qs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

Interesting. So if the CC PP names the school, they will get fired. If a prospective parent asks about this policy, their child will be rejected outright. Why is the school so afraid to have this policy known and to answer questions about it? Why punish people for talking about it?

So surprising neither PP was willing to answer these Qs!

I think because there are posters like you who are unhinged and will take this information to the school and/or use it in some way to get people in trouble or worse.

Different schools have different policies. You will not agree or like all policies at your school. If there are policies, like CC availability over the holidays, that you care deeply about, ask your school up front. If their policies do not line up with your expectations you can either push for change, switch schools, or hire outside help.

[Anonymous]

Also you can ask families about CC experiences when applying and that could include accessibility during breaks. Ask current families if they felt the need to hire outside consultants. Most of our friends with kids at private have not felt the need to hire outside help, but you do occasionally hear of a school with a weaker CC team or maybe a kid with special circumstances who needs additional support.

Asking an admissions representative if CCs will be on call for your kid over holiday breaks when applying for 9th grade makes you sound like an unhinged high maintenance parent. If you don’t see that, good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I question your existence. Name your school. People should know not to contact you. I can’t imagine that you would put any effort into writing such a last minute recommendation.

Astounding.

You question the effort I put into letters simply because I say a “thank you” would be appropriate.

I put considerable time into these letters because I care about my students and their futures. I was writing a letter as my family participated in Christmas Eve traditions this year. I did that because I CARE.

Your statement above disgusts me. You question my professionalism simply because I wrote that acknowledgment is appropriate when someone goes FAR out of their way for a student. Fortunately, you are dealing with someone who thinks most people are gracious even if they don’t think to outwardly express it. You, however, come across as demanding and ungrateful.

And of course I’m not going to name my school. Why would I want somebody who judges me sight unseen without any context to contact me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

Interesting. So if the CC PP names the school, they will get fired. If a prospective parent asks about this policy, their child will be rejected outright. Why is the school so afraid to have this policy known and to answer questions about it? Why punish people for talking about it?

So surprising neither PP was willing to answer these Qs!

I think because there are posters like you who are unhinged and will take this information to the school and/or use it in some way to get people in trouble or worse.

Different schools have different policies. You will not agree or like all policies at your school. If there are policies, like CC availability over the holidays, that you care deeply about, ask your school up front. If their policies do not line up with your expectations you can either push for change, switch schools, or hire outside help.

The CC PP said they were afraid they would get fired. What kind of school would fire someone for this?

According to the admissions PP (and you in your second post?), asking a school about this policy upfront will result in rejection of the student. So a parent interested in this policy is not allowed to ask until already at the school? Shouldn’t that information be available to prospective parents from the school itself rather than from other families? If a parent doesn’t agree with a policy they were not allowed to ask about before signing a contract, then they are supposed to switch their kids to another school? Which policies does this apply to? Why would a school punish a student for asking about a policy rather than just stating it up front and letting parents decide based on known information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

Interesting. So if the CC PP names the school, they will get fired. If a prospective parent asks about this policy, their child will be rejected outright. Why is the school so afraid to have this policy known and to answer questions about it? Why punish people for talking about it?

So surprising neither PP was willing to answer these Qs!

I think because there are posters like you who are unhinged and will take this information to the school and/or use it in some way to get people in trouble or worse.

Different schools have different policies. You will not agree or like all policies at your school. If there are policies, like CC availability over the holidays, that you care deeply about, ask your school up front. If their policies do not line up with your expectations you can either push for change, switch schools, or hire outside help.

The CC PP said they were afraid they would get fired. What kind of school would fire someone for this?

According to the admissions PP (and you in your second post?), asking a school about this policy upfront will result in rejection of the student. So a parent interested in this policy is not allowed to ask until already at the school? Shouldn’t that information be available to prospective parents from the school itself rather than from other families? If a parent doesn’t agree with a policy they were not allowed to ask about before signing a contract, then they are supposed to switch their kids to another school? Which policies does this apply to? Why would a school punish a student for asking about a policy rather than just stating it up front and letting parents decide based on known information?

This thread has gotten ridiculous.

Look. College counselors and teachers are going to help out because they are caring, contributing types of people. I posted above that our office was closed over break, but our counselors still answered emails. So did I, even though it isn’t my job.

Then the thread took a turn because some posters saw this as an obligation instead of a kind gesture, and then insults started being thrown.

And to what end? Stressed parents are now more stressed (and angry). Teachers and counselors who feel taken advantage of now feel resentful.

Just give it a rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I question your existence. Name your school. People should know not to contact you. I can’t imagine that you would put any effort into writing such a last minute recommendation.

Astounding.

You question the effort I put into letters simply because I say a “thank you” would be appropriate.

I put considerable time into these letters because I care about my students and their futures. I was writing a letter as my family participated in Christmas Eve traditions this year. I did that because I CARE.

Your statement above disgusts me. You question my professionalism simply because I wrote that acknowledgment is appropriate when someone goes FAR out of their way for a student. Fortunately, you are dealing with someone who thinks most people are gracious even if they don’t think to outwardly express it. You, however, come across as demanding and ungrateful.

And of course I’m not going to name my school. Why would I want somebody who judges me sight unseen without any context to contact me?

Let’s be clear. Colleges get two recs from subject matter teachers and some
only allow one. Private schools organize this summer before senior year. There is a process. There are no last minute rec. Ditto CC rec which is completed over the summer. These recs are the same for all the given student schools. There is no last minute CC rec.

The issue over holidays is logistical but still important. Student needs to change or add schools based on a poor result so far. No one is bothering CC just to be a pain. There most likely is a 17 year old in total panic because admissions is not working out. The student handles their common ap but school needs to know so they can upload the recs. The supplemental essays for new schools are on the student and are uploaded by student. There is zero mandate for a school to edit supplemental essays esp over xmas. The writing seminar is a different thing. Many schools have these and this is not a last minute holiday project. Oh the last minute coach rec not happening. D1 recruits way early. If there is a last minute spot opening it usually is managed through club coaches and not school. If somehow a school coach gets contacted over the holiday, it is a call and not a letter and this would be a happy thing. I can think of zero coaches who would not be thrilled to get a call like this. Coaches who get recruiting calls are usually highly respected including by their athletes. D3 recruits late and still that is Aug before senior year and rare over xmas. Athletes have to fill out on their own pre read forms. These are submitted by athlete and not school.

Most schools do CC well or people would not send their kids. Make your own judgements on what you read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I question your existence. Name your school. People should know not to contact you. I can’t imagine that you would put any effort into writing such a last minute recommendation.

Astounding.

You question the effort I put into letters simply because I say a “thank you” would be appropriate.

I put considerable time into these letters because I care about my students and their futures. I was writing a letter as my family participated in Christmas Eve traditions this year. I did that because I CARE.

Your statement above disgusts me. You question my professionalism simply because I wrote that acknowledgment is appropriate when someone goes FAR out of their way for a student. Fortunately, you are dealing with someone who thinks most people are gracious even if they don’t think to outwardly express it. You, however, come across as demanding and ungrateful.

And of course I’m not going to name my school. Why would I want somebody who judges me sight unseen without any context to contact me?

Let’s be clear. Colleges get two recs from subject matter teachers and some
only allow one. Private schools organize this summer before senior year. There is a process. There are no last minute rec. Ditto CC rec which is completed over the summer. These recs are the same for all the given student schools. There is no last minute CC rec.

The issue over holidays is logistical but still important. Student needs to change or add schools based on a poor result so far. No one is bothering CC just to be a pain. There most likely is a 17 year old in total panic because admissions is not working out. The student handles their common ap but school needs to know so they can upload the recs. The supplemental essays for new schools are on the student and are uploaded by student. There is zero mandate for a school to edit supplemental essays esp over xmas. The writing seminar is a different thing. Many schools have these and this is not a last minute holiday project. Oh the last minute coach rec not happening. D1 recruits way early. If there is a last minute spot opening it usually is managed through club coaches and not school. If somehow a school coach gets contacted over the holiday, it is a call and not a letter and this would be a happy thing. I can think of zero coaches who would not be thrilled to get a call like this. Coaches who get recruiting calls are usually highly respected including by their athletes. D3 recruits late and still that is Aug before senior year and rare over xmas. Athletes have to fill out on their own pre read forms. These are submitted by athlete and not school.

Most schools do CC well or people would not send their kids. Make your own judgements on what you read.

How the heck can you deny my reality?

Yes, there are last minute recommendations every single year. Sometimes it’s because a school a student applies to late requires a particular type of teacher. Sometimes it’s because an original recommendation fell through. Sometimes it is for a scholarship or honors college.

You can throw around absolutes (“there’s no such thing as a late rec”) and you will be wrong.

And regarding supplementals: Some schools actually task or ask the English dept with helping out on the college essays, hence the after-school sessions I’ve been running all semester.

Your experience is YOUR experience. It doesn’t cancel others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

Interesting. So if the CC PP names the school, they will get fired. If a prospective parent asks about this policy, their child will be rejected outright. Why is the school so afraid to have this policy known and to answer questions about it? Why punish people for talking about it?

So surprising neither PP was willing to answer these Qs!

I think because there are posters like you who are unhinged and will take this information to the school and/or use it in some way to get people in trouble or worse.

Different schools have different policies. You will not agree or like all policies at your school. If there are policies, like CC availability over the holidays, that you care deeply about, ask your school up front. If their policies do not line up with your expectations you can either push for change, switch schools, or hire outside help.

The CC PP said they were afraid they would get fired. What kind of school would fire someone for this?

According to the admissions PP (and you in your second post?), asking a school about this policy upfront will result in rejection of the student. So a parent interested in this policy is not allowed to ask until already at the school? Shouldn’t that information be available to prospective parents from the school itself rather than from other families? If a parent doesn’t agree with a policy they were not allowed to ask about before signing a contract, then they are supposed to switch their kids to another school? Which policies does this apply to? Why would a school punish a student for asking about a policy rather than just stating it up front and letting parents decide based on known information?

This thread has gotten ridiculous.

Look. College counselors and teachers are going to help out because they are caring, contributing types of people. I posted above that our office was closed over break, but our counselors still answered emails. So did I, even though it isn’t my job.

Then the thread took a turn because some posters saw this as an obligation instead of a kind gesture, and then insults started being thrown.

And to what end? Stressed parents are now more stressed (and angry). Teachers and counselors who feel taken advantage of now feel resentful.

Just give it a rest.

And I posted above that CCs at our school are available to a limited degree virtually over break. No judgment, no comment, just answering OP’s Q.

I noticed you didn’t answer the above question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

Interesting. So if the CC PP names the school, they will get fired. If a prospective parent asks about this policy, their child will be rejected outright. Why is the school so afraid to have this policy known and to answer questions about it? Why punish people for talking about it?

So surprising neither PP was willing to answer these Qs!

I think because there are posters like you who are unhinged and will take this information to the school and/or use it in some way to get people in trouble or worse.

Different schools have different policies. You will not agree or like all policies at your school. If there are policies, like CC availability over the holidays, that you care deeply about, ask your school up front. If their policies do not line up with your expectations you can either push for change, switch schools, or hire outside help.

The CC PP said they were afraid they would get fired. What kind of school would fire someone for this?

According to the admissions PP (and you in your second post?), asking a school about this policy upfront will result in rejection of the student. So a parent interested in this policy is not allowed to ask until already at the school? Shouldn’t that information be available to prospective parents from the school itself rather than from other families? If a parent doesn’t agree with a policy they were not allowed to ask about before signing a contract, then they are supposed to switch their kids to another school? Which policies does this apply to? Why would a school punish a student for asking about a policy rather than just stating it up front and letting parents decide based on known information?

This thread has gotten ridiculous.

Look. College counselors and teachers are going to help out because they are caring, contributing types of people. I posted above that our office was closed over break, but our counselors still answered emails. So did I, even though it isn’t my job.

Then the thread took a turn because some posters saw this as an obligation instead of a kind gesture, and then insults started being thrown.

And to what end? Stressed parents are now more stressed (and angry). Teachers and counselors who feel taken advantage of now feel resentful.

Just give it a rest.

And I posted above that CCs at our school are available to a limited degree virtually over break. No judgment, no comment, just answering OP’s Q.

I noticed you didn’t answer the above question.

Because it’s a silly question. No school is going to fire someone. But at the same time, nobody is going to name a school and invite drama. Educators have enough to deal with already.

[Anonymous]

Let’s be clear. Colleges get two recs from subject matter teachers and some
only allow one. Private schools organize this summer before senior year. There is a process. There are no last minute rec. Ditto CC rec which is completed over the summer. These recs are the same for all the given student schools. There is no last minute CC rec.

The issue over holidays is logistical but still important. Student needs to change or add schools based on a poor result so far. No one is bothering CC just to be a pain. There most likely is a 17 year old in total panic because admissions is not working out. The student handles their common ap but school needs to know so they can upload the recs. The supplemental essays for new schools are on the student and are uploaded by student. There is zero mandate for a school to edit supplemental essays esp over xmas. The writing seminar is a different thing. Many schools have these and this is not a last minute holiday project. Oh the last minute coach rec not happening. D1 recruits way early. If there is a last minute spot opening it usually is managed through club coaches and not school. If somehow a school coach gets contacted over the holiday, it is a call and not a letter and this would be a happy thing. I can think of zero coaches who would not be thrilled to get a call like this. Coaches who get recruiting calls are usually highly respected including by their athletes. D3 recruits late and still that is Aug before senior year and rare over xmas. Athletes have to fill out on their own pre read forms. These are submitted by athlete and not school.

Most schools do CC well or people would not send their kids. Make your own judgements on what you read.

I am the coach who said that I wrote last-minute recommendation letters. I did not say that these were for recruiting purposes. I also supervise various school service trips (like to WV for Habitat for Humanity) so often I've coached a kid AND been on a service trip with them. When a last-minute request comes through, it's because a student wants an additional letter to add to their portfolio that speaks to a particular skill or experience or is applying for a scholarship or grant, and my perspective would be helpful. These last-minute letters are not about athletic chops, and they are always "character" testimonials. I'm not sure why the PP needs to dismiss any experience that does not line up with their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

Interesting. So if the CC PP names the school, they will get fired. If a prospective parent asks about this policy, their child will be rejected outright. Why is the school so afraid to have this policy known and to answer questions about it? Why punish people for talking about it?

So surprising neither PP was willing to answer these Qs!

I think because there are posters like you who are unhinged and will take this information to the school and/or use it in some way to get people in trouble or worse.

Different schools have different policies. You will not agree or like all policies at your school. If there are policies, like CC availability over the holidays, that you care deeply about, ask your school up front. If their policies do not line up with your expectations you can either push for change, switch schools, or hire outside help.

The CC PP said they were afraid they would get fired. What kind of school would fire someone for this?

According to the admissions PP (and you in your second post?), asking a school about this policy upfront will result in rejection of the student. So a parent interested in this policy is not allowed to ask until already at the school? Shouldn’t that information be available to prospective parents from the school itself rather than from other families? If a parent doesn’t agree with a policy they were not allowed to ask about before signing a contract, then they are supposed to switch their kids to another school? Which policies does this apply to? Why would a school punish a student for asking about a policy rather than just stating it up front and letting parents decide based on known information?

This thread has gotten ridiculous.

Look. College counselors and teachers are going to help out because they are caring, contributing types of people. I posted above that our office was closed over break, but our counselors still answered emails. So did I, even though it isn’t my job.

Then the thread took a turn because some posters saw this as an obligation instead of a kind gesture, and then insults started being thrown.

And to what end? Stressed parents are now more stressed (and angry). Teachers and counselors who feel taken advantage of now feel resentful.

Just give it a rest.

And I posted above that CCs at our school are available to a limited degree virtually over break. No judgment, no comment, just answering OP’s Q.

I noticed you didn’t answer the above question.

Because it’s a silly question. No school is going to fire someone. But at the same time, nobody is going to name a school and invite drama. Educators have enough to deal with already.

Not silly for the CC PP who said they don’t want to risk their job.

How is a prospective parent supposed to find out a school’s policy if asking during application season would cause the school to reject their child out of hand? Why would a school hide this?


How about why can