Do private school college counselors already know ED results

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a college counselor. The post above about the software is correct. However, many schools also have what are called counselor calls, in which they will give counselors a heads up about how things look in the pool for students from that school. The way these are handled are completely different from college to college. There is no rhyme or reason in terms of which colleges have which policies, either - selective, public, whatever.

Some colleges will give the counselor a chance to advocate on behalf of all the student, others will just provide a heads up about the decision, others will provide information that can be very useful in the case of a deferral (to help the student understand if they really have a chance or not and how to maximize it) and others will not do the calls at all.

Despite all of these differences, I can tell you two things that do not change at all. First of all, any college who takes counselor calls will take them from any high school counselor who initiates the call. You don’t have to go to Sidwell. Any random public school, parochial school, whatever. Yet SO MANY high school counselors do not realize that they have the ability to initiate these calls and a lot of kids miss out as a result. The second thing is that there would absolutely never be a situation in which a high school counselor would push certain students over others. I promise you, this is just not done. If a high school counselor even attempted to do that, the college admissions officer would not engage. But no high school counselor would even try, even if they truly hated the student, because it would make them look so bad and so unprofessional. I know so many parents think this happens, but I promise that you guys are just being a little conspiracy theory esque!

Also, for what it’s worth, I would be really surprised if counselors were calling certain kids into their offices, to have lengthy discussions about strategy based on these calls. That would be way too obvious, and no respectable counselor would risk the impact of doing something like that. Confidentiality is paramount with these calls. What’s probably happening is that the counselor is just making sure that the student has enough options going into winter break, after they have learned general information about the pools at all of the various schools about how selective things have been this year.

Agreed that is likely what appears to be happening at our school, but it is interesting that the few kids that have been called in - generally all really really strong/top stats - but all white or Asian. Have heard anecdotally that the CCO advice has been good and they are encouraging /expanding lists strategically.

Very specific advice about certain selective schools that should be added onto RD list. While it is good advice, it is very late in the cycle to start this conversation, so parents are assuming there is something else driving this new focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a college counselor. The post above about the software is correct. However, many schools also have what are called counselor calls, in which they will give counselors a heads up about how things look in the pool for students from that school. The way these are handled are completely different from college to college. There is no rhyme or reason in terms of which colleges have which policies, either - selective, public, whatever.

Some colleges will give the counselor a chance to advocate on behalf of all the student, others will just provide a heads up about the decision, others will provide information that can be very useful in the case of a deferral (to help the student understand if they really have a chance or not and how to maximize it) and others will not do the calls at all.

Despite all of these differences, I can tell you two things that do not change at all. First of all, any college who takes counselor calls will take them from any high school counselor who initiates the call. You don’t have to go to Sidwell. Any random public school, parochial school, whatever. Yet SO MANY high school counselors do not realize that they have the ability to initiate these calls and a lot of kids miss out as a result. The second thing is that there would absolutely never be a situation in which a high school counselor would push certain students over others. I promise you, this is just not done. If a high school counselor even attempted to do that, the college admissions officer would not engage. But no high school counselor would even try, even if they truly hated the student, because it would make them look so bad and so unprofessional. I know so many parents think this happens, but I promise that you guys are just being a little conspiracy theory esque!

Also, for what it’s worth, I would be really surprised if counselors were calling certain kids into their offices, to have lengthy discussions about strategy based on these calls. That would be way too obvious, and no respectable counselor would risk the impact of doing something like that. Confidentiality is paramount with these calls. What’s probably happening is that the counselor is just making sure that the student has enough options going into winter break, after they have learned general information about the pools at all of the various schools about how selective things have been this year.

Would every private school’s college counseling office have access to this software?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a college counselor. The post above about the software is correct. However, many schools also have what are called counselor calls, in which they will give counselors a heads up about how things look in the pool for students from that school. The way these are handled are completely different from college to college. There is no rhyme or reason in terms of which colleges have which policies, either - selective, public, whatever.

Some colleges will give the counselor a chance to advocate on behalf of all the student, others will just provide a heads up about the decision, others will provide information that can be very useful in the case of a deferral (to help the student understand if they really have a chance or not and how to maximize it) and others will not do the calls at all.

Despite all of these differences, I can tell you two things that do not change at all. First of all, any college who takes counselor calls will take them from any high school counselor who initiates the call. You don’t have to go to Sidwell. Any random public school, parochial school, whatever. Yet SO MANY high school counselors do not realize that they have the ability to initiate these calls and a lot of kids miss out as a result. The second thing is that there would absolutely never be a situation in which a high school counselor would push certain students over others. I promise you, this is just not done. If a high school counselor even attempted to do that, the college admissions officer would not engage. But no high school counselor would even try, even if they truly hated the student, because it would make them look so bad and so unprofessional. I know so many parents think this happens, but I promise that you guys are just being a little conspiracy theory esque!

Also, for what it’s worth, I would be really surprised if counselors were calling certain kids into their offices, to have lengthy discussions about strategy based on these calls. That would be way too obvious, and no respectable counselor would risk the impact of doing something like that. Confidentiality is paramount with these calls. What’s probably happening is that the counselor is just making sure that the student has enough options going into winter break, after they have learned general information about the pools at all of the various schools about how selective things have been this year.

Agreed that is likely what appears to be happening at our school, but it is interesting that the few kids that have been called in - generally all really really strong/top stats - but all white or Asian. Have heard anecdotally that the CCO advice has been good and they are encouraging /expanding lists strategically.

Very specific advice about certain selective schools that should be added onto RD list. While it is good advice, it is very late in the cycle to start this conversation, so parents are assuming there is something else driving this new focus.

What school? Our students are encouraged to finish ALL their applications before 12/15. My DD was working on essays last night. We don't want her to work on essays over break. Just hit the send button and forget about it until April.

[Anonymous]

I can tell you son's St Albans counselors asked that the kid check in after hearing about decisions, which makes me think they didn't know (or at least wanted confirmation, I guess, though still going with don't know).

I realize this is anecdotal speculation based on my kid's single experience.

[Anonymous]

I can’t imagine the counseling office at our W school talking to a college and caring about ED student outcomes. I doubt the call would even be returned. And that’s fine.

[Anonymous]

Have most kids gotten into at least one school already? It sounds like most have gotten into their safeties at least. ED/EA is usually a reach and so are the applications in RD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you son's St Albans counselors asked that the kid check in after hearing about decisions, which makes me think they didn't know (or at least wanted confirmation, I guess, though still going with don't know).

I realize this is anecdotal speculation based on my kid's single experience.

It makes sense to ask the kids to check in. Celebrate if they got in or a mental check if they don't and double-check their strategy moving forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a college counselor. The post above about the software is correct. However, many schools also have what are called counselor calls, in which they will give counselors a heads up about how things look in the pool for students from that school. The way these are handled are completely different from college to college. There is no rhyme or reason in terms of which colleges have which policies, either - selective, public, whatever.

Some colleges will give the counselor a chance to advocate on behalf of all the student, others will just provide a heads up about the decision, others will provide information that can be very useful in the case of a deferral (to help the student understand if they really have a chance or not and how to maximize it) and others will not do the calls at all.

Despite all of these differences, I can tell you two things that do not change at all. First of all, any college who takes counselor calls will take them from any high school counselor who initiates the call. You don’t have to go to Sidwell. Any random public school, parochial school, whatever. Yet SO MANY high school counselors do not realize that they have the ability to initiate these calls and a lot of kids miss out as a result. The second thing is that there would absolutely never be a situation in which a high school counselor would push certain students over others. I promise you, this is just not done. If a high school counselor even attempted to do that, the college admissions officer would not engage. But no high school counselor would even try, even if they truly hated the student, because it would make them look so bad and so unprofessional. I know so many parents think this happens, but I promise that you guys are just being a little conspiracy theory esque!

Also, for what it’s worth, I would be really surprised if counselors were calling certain kids into their offices, to have lengthy discussions about strategy based on these calls. That would be way too obvious, and no respectable counselor would risk the impact of doing something like that. Confidentiality is paramount with these calls. What’s probably happening is that the counselor is just making sure that the student has enough options going into winter break, after they have learned general information about the pools at all of the various schools about how selective things have been this year.

Would every private school’s college counseling office have access to this software?

It's just a website with a secure login.

[Anonymous]

Wait I am confused can a counselor see every decision for their school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a college counselor. The post above about the software is correct. However, many schools also have what are called counselor calls, in which they will give counselors a heads up about how things look in the pool for students from that school. The way these are handled are completely different from college to college. There is no rhyme or reason in terms of which colleges have which policies, either - selective, public, whatever.

Some colleges will give the counselor a chance to advocate on behalf of all the student, others will just provide a heads up about the decision, others will provide information that can be very useful in the case of a deferral (to help the student understand if they really have a chance or not and how to maximize it) and others will not do the calls at all.

Despite all of these differences, I can tell you two things that do not change at all. First of all, any college who takes counselor calls will take them from any high school counselor who initiates the call. You don’t have to go to Sidwell. Any random public school, parochial school, whatever. Yet SO MANY high school counselors do not realize that they have the ability to initiate these calls and a lot of kids miss out as a result. The second thing is that there would absolutely never be a situation in which a high school counselor would push certain students over others. I promise you, this is just not done. If a high school counselor even attempted to do that, the college admissions officer would not engage. But no high school counselor would even try, even if they truly hated the student, because it would make them look so bad and so unprofessional. I know so many parents think this happens, but I promise that you guys are just being a little conspiracy theory esque!

Also, for what it’s worth, I would be really surprised if counselors were calling certain kids into their offices, to have lengthy discussions about strategy based on these calls. That would be way too obvious, and no respectable counselor would risk the impact of doing something like that. Confidentiality is paramount with these calls. What’s probably happening is that the counselor is just making sure that the student has enough options going into winter break, after they have learned general information about the pools at all of the various schools about how selective things have been this year.

The bolded is rather ironic given the couple of recent CCO regimes at Sidwell specifically said they do not make these calls and that the AOs had too many applications and no time to dive in on applications from any one high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait I am confused can a counselor see every decision for their school?

Not for every college. Some colleges send some private high school counselors a list of decisions.

As recently as a couple of years ago, BC would send such a list to Catholic high school counselors along with some admission data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a college counselor. The post above about the software is correct. However, many schools also have what are called counselor calls, in which they will give counselors a heads up about how things look in the pool for students from that school. The way these are handled are completely different from college to college. There is no rhyme or reason in terms of which colleges have which policies, either - selective, public, whatever.

Some colleges will give the counselor a chance to advocate on behalf of all the student, others will just provide a heads up about the decision, others will provide information that can be very useful in the case of a deferral (to help the student understand if they really have a chance or not and how to maximize it) and others will not do the calls at all.

Despite all of these differences, I can tell you two things that do not change at all. First of all, any college who takes counselor calls will take them from any high school counselor who initiates the call. You don’t have to go to Sidwell. Any random public school, parochial school, whatever. Yet SO MANY high school counselors do not realize that they have the ability to initiate these calls and a lot of kids miss out as a result. The second thing is that there would absolutely never be a situation in which a high school counselor would push certain students over others. I promise you, this is just not done. If a high school counselor even attempted to do that, the college admissions officer would not engage. But no high school counselor would even try, even if they truly hated the student, because it would make them look so bad and so unprofessional. I know so many parents think this happens, but I promise that you guys are just being a little conspiracy theory esque!

Also, for what it’s worth, I would be really surprised if counselors were calling certain kids into their offices, to have lengthy discussions about strategy based on these calls. That would be way too obvious, and no respectable counselor would risk the impact of doing something like that. Confidentiality is paramount with these calls. What’s probably happening is that the counselor is just making sure that the student has enough options going into winter break, after they have learned general information about the pools at all of the various schools about how selective things have been this year.

The bolded is rather ironic given the couple of recent CCO regimes at Sidwell specifically said they do not make these calls and that the AOs had too many applications and no time to dive in on applications from any one high school.

Maybe some schools stopped for equity reasons? But it’s weird for any private to not take advantage of this type of opportunity. CCOs are in sales. You’re selling kids to universities. If you’re in sales you work the phones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a college counselor. The post above about the software is correct. However, many schools also have what are called counselor calls, in which they will give counselors a heads up about how things look in the pool for students from that school. The way these are handled are completely different from college to college. There is no rhyme or reason in terms of which colleges have which policies, either - selective, public, whatever.

Some colleges will give the counselor a chance to advocate on behalf of all the student, others will just provide a heads up about the decision, others will provide information that can be very useful in the case of a deferral (to help the student understand if they really have a chance or not and how to maximize it) and others will not do the calls at all.

Despite all of these differences, I can tell you two things that do not change at all. First of all, any college who takes counselor calls will take them from any high school counselor who initiates the call. You don’t have to go to Sidwell. Any random public school, parochial school, whatever. Yet SO MANY high school counselors do not realize that they have the ability to initiate these calls and a lot of kids miss out as a result. The second thing is that there would absolutely never be a situation in which a high school counselor would push certain students over others. I promise you, this is just not done. If a high school counselor even attempted to do that, the college admissions officer would not engage. But no high school counselor would even try, even if they truly hated the student, because it would make them look so bad and so unprofessional. I know so many parents think this happens, but I promise that you guys are just being a little conspiracy theory esque!

Also, for what it’s worth, I would be really surprised if counselors were calling certain kids into their offices, to have lengthy discussions about strategy based on these calls. That would be way too obvious, and no respectable counselor would risk the impact of doing something like that. Confidentiality is paramount with these calls. What’s probably happening is that the counselor is just making sure that the student has enough options going into winter break, after they have learned general information about the pools at all of the various schools about how selective things have been this year.

The bolded is rather ironic given the couple of recent CCO regimes at Sidwell specifically said they do not make these calls and that the AOs had too many applications and no time to dive in on applications from any one high school.

Sidwell went further than that. The HOS said CCO would advocate for URMs (only) to make sure they wouldn’t be impacted by Supreme Court affirmative action decision. That sounds legally questionable.

[Anonymous]

This is a troll post, the school would be sure but nice try.

[Anonymous]

would be sued