College Counseling Hours during Winter Break?

[Anonymous]

Our seniors were given an internal deadline to have all apps done mid December, and were warned they were on their own until after break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our seniors were given an internal deadline to have all apps done mid December, and were warned they were on their own until after break.

DP. That is not realistic as many kids have changed plans since early decisions and early action apps have come in. Kids that were expecting to at least get into one of their early actions and did not may not be adding on several more regular decision applications. This is the busiest week and month of the year for kids applying to college. Counselors should be available. That is part of the job.

[Anonymous]

I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

My kid was deferred. He had a lot started before break, but it’s not like he had a lot of free time to work on all the apps earlier. He has a heavy course load, varsity sports, clubs etc.

As soon as he was done with midterms he focused on the apps. He’s exchanged multiple emails and essay drafts with his counselor over break. He finished all yesterday. I’m grateful that the counselor was available for feedback. Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

My kid was deferred. He had a lot started before break, but it’s not like he had a lot of free time to work on all the apps earlier. He has a heavy course load, varsity sports, clubs etc.

As soon as he was done with midterms he focused on the apps. He’s exchanged multiple emails and essay drafts with his counselor over break. He finished all yesterday. I’m grateful that the counselor was available for feedback. Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much.

Applications opened in August, correct?

I am a high school English teacher and I receive emails every winter break from students who need last-minute help on essays or recommendations.

I have stayed after twice a week since August, after work hours, to help with college applications. I work alongside our college counselors, who have been running workshops since June. This is not part of my job.

I spent Christmas Eve reading supplemental essays. I’m on break. I’m not paid, and again: I have given up my own time since August.

The demand on teachers’ and counselors’ time is unreal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our seniors were given an internal deadline to have all apps done mid December, and were warned they were on their own until after break.

My senior was told the same. Big 3 school too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

My kid was deferred. He had a lot started before break, but it’s not like he had a lot of free time to work on all the apps earlier. He has a heavy course load, varsity sports, clubs etc.

As soon as he was done with midterms he focused on the apps. He’s exchanged multiple emails and essay drafts with his counselor over break. He finished all yesterday. I’m grateful that the counselor was available for feedback. Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much.

Do you realize this is most kids? Your kid is not unique.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our seniors were given an internal deadline to have all apps done mid December, and were warned they were on their own until after break.

DP. That is not realistic as many kids have changed plans since early decisions and early action apps have come in. Kids that were expecting to at least get into one of their early actions and did not may not be adding on several more regular decision applications. This is the busiest week and month of the year for kids applying to college. Counselors should be available. That is part of the job.

Yes, well, you plan ahead for these very likely contingencies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is your college counseling office available? With recent ED notifications, deferrals, rejections, students may add more schools they had not originally intended to apply to. January 1st is a big deadline date. Curious if your school's office is open and replying to emails this week before the January 1st deadline?

Y’all just hate the idea of school staff not being available to cater to your whims 24/7 don’t you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

My kid was deferred. He had a lot started before break, but it’s not like he had a lot of free time to work on all the apps earlier. He has a heavy course load, varsity sports, clubs etc.

As soon as he was done with midterms he focused on the apps. He’s exchanged multiple emails and essay drafts with his counselor over break. He finished all yesterday. I’m grateful that the counselor was available for feedback. Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much.

Do you realize this is most kids? Your kid is not unique.

Yes, my point is that I think my kid is fortunate to have a college counselor to contact during break, and this shouldn’t be unusual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

My kid was deferred. He had a lot started before break, but it’s not like he had a lot of free time to work on all the apps earlier. He has a heavy course load, varsity sports, clubs etc.

As soon as he was done with midterms he focused on the apps. He’s exchanged multiple emails and essay drafts with his counselor over break. He finished all yesterday. I’m grateful that the counselor was available for feedback. Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much.

Do you realize this is most kids? Your kid is not unique.

Yes, my point is that I think my kid is fortunate to have a college counselor to contact during break, and this shouldn’t be unusual.

But you said this: "Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much."

And that is something that the vast majority of seniors are able to handle and it isn't "too much"

[Anonymous]

Bad planning on your part does not make an emergency for someone else, especially those who might be traveling, spending time with their families, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

My kid was deferred. He had a lot started before break, but it’s not like he had a lot of free time to work on all the apps earlier. He has a heavy course load, varsity sports, clubs etc.

As soon as he was done with midterms he focused on the apps. He’s exchanged multiple emails and essay drafts with his counselor over break. He finished all yesterday. I’m grateful that the counselor was available for feedback. Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much.

Do you realize this is most kids? Your kid is not unique.

Yes, my point is that I think my kid is fortunate to have a college counselor to contact during break, and this shouldn’t be unusual.

Nor should it be the norm. It’s called Winter break for a reason and contrary to your apparent belief it’s not just for the students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

My kid was deferred. He had a lot started before break, but it’s not like he had a lot of free time to work on all the apps earlier. He has a heavy course load, varsity sports, clubs etc.

As soon as he was done with midterms he focused on the apps. He’s exchanged multiple emails and essay drafts with his counselor over break. He finished all yesterday. I’m grateful that the counselor was available for feedback. Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much.

Do you realize this is most kids? Your kid is not unique.

Yes, my point is that I think my kid is fortunate to have a college counselor to contact during break, and this shouldn’t be unusual.

Yes agree. They should be available it is the most important deadline for seniors except those that did ED.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in the industry and from experience, it is not worth it to be available 24/7 during the last week before deadline. It would completely ruin the holidays and the families who demand this are disorganized and have no boundaries and did not plan well.

I learned to make everything due at least two weeks before deadline. The results are often better because the families did not procrastinate and rush everything at last minute.

My kid was deferred. He had a lot started before break, but it’s not like he had a lot of free time to work on all the apps earlier. He has a heavy course load, varsity sports, clubs etc.

As soon as he was done with midterms he focused on the apps. He’s exchanged multiple emails and essay drafts with his counselor over break. He finished all yesterday. I’m grateful that the counselor was available for feedback. Preparing for midterms AND completing all the apps at the same time would have been too much.

Do you realize this is most kids? Your kid is not unique.

Yes, my point is that I think my kid is fortunate to have a college counselor to contact during break, and this shouldn’t be unusual.

Nor should it be the norm. It’s called Winter break for a reason and contrary to your apparent belief it’s not just for the students.

My father was a CPA. He always worked longer hours (including weekends) around tax time. To make up for that work schedule, he took a lot of time off in the summer to be with the family. I always appreciated him being around when we were off from school. It was awesome for us, and necessary for his successful business.