HS seniors who think they are busier than me, a working adult.

[Anonymous]

DH and I both interview applicants for my undergrad alma mater. It is a volunteer activity that we both truly enjoy. I love to stay connected to my school and talk to applicants about it. It is exciting to meet nice kids who are at the beginning of the journey. That said, the worst part is scheduling with these over scheduled kids who honestly believe that their conflicts are real!

I'm sorry, but your child's DECA meeting is not more important than my job. Your child's National Future Leaders of the Free World car wash is not a legitimate conflict.

They write me these emails that are so bossy and directive. This is an actual email that a senior at a top private high school wrote to me:

Dear Mrs. XXX:

I would like to schedule a meeting with you for my XXX U admissions interview sometime this week, preferably Wednesday. Is this convenient for you? And will the interview be over the phone, or will I have to meet you in person? I have many things scheduled this week and I am very busy so I would like to know as soon as possible.

Thanks!!

Sally Student

Seriously. A 17 year old sent that to me. Parents, I know you are helicoptering here. PLEASE advise your children to be more polite. I am not expecting all out deference here, but IMO, this is ridiculous. Then, I write to them, offering 2 or 3 potential dates and they write back, oh no, I am very busy, what else do you have? SO ridiculous.

The best is when the moms call on behalf of the student to schedule the interview. I tell them, "Thanks so much for calling. Please have Sally call me back or email me to schedule and interview, I look forward to meeting with her. "

And FYI, I used to work in the admissions office at this school, and the interviews do "count". They won't knock a qualified kid out unless they do something really heinous, but they absolutely can be the tipping point for a candidate who is on the bubble.

[Anonymous]

Your post is kind of funny OP. That student letter was a bit off the wall...but hey they are just kids and they really don't know how the world works yet. Try to have some patience and use it as a "teaching moment".

[Anonymous]

You sound like a bitch. Not everyone is lazying around doing jack shit like yourself. FYI I was working when I was that age.

[Anonymous]

For many years I was the Volunteer Coordinator for a well known outreach organization and I guarantee these are the same kids that volunteered with my organization. They all wanted community service hours to pad their resume and would show up late, leave early, and came with all of these preconceived notions about what they wanted to do ("I'm really good at photoshop, I could help you guys with graphic design!") Sorry, kid, what we really need is someone to pack boxes in our warehouse. Then you get major attitude, because that's not glamorous or exciting enough.

And then the absolute worst kids are the ones who ask for letters of recommendation for their app folder. I usually decline politely if I feel I can't say anything nice, or write a generic statement about the total number of hours the kid spent volunteering but what I'd really love to write is: Dear Admissions Director, I can personally verify that Susie Student is extremely adept at playing Angry Birds and not giving a shit. P.S.: her advanced eyerolling skills would be a credit to your athletic program.

KIDS THESE DAYS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound like a bitch. Not everyone is lazying around doing jack shit like yourself. FYI I was working when I was that age.

OP here. Ha. I am guessing you are a parent of one of these students. They must get it from somewhere. FWIW, when I was a high school student in the DC metro area, I was very involved, worked part time, had great grades and had no problem making it to college interviews.

I also really doubt that many of these students are working. I see their resumes, remember?

[Anonymous]

When I was a senior in HS I was going to school full time, working two jobs, volunteering and playing on a sports team. I was busy. Not that I expected everyone to revolve around my schedule but don't assume all HS seniors are sitting at home playing video games or hanging at the mall - lots of teens I know are legitimately busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I both interview applicants for my undergrad alma mater. It is a volunteer activity that we both truly enjoy. I love to stay connected to my school and talk to applicants about it. It is exciting to meet nice kids who are at the beginning of the journey. That said, the worst part is scheduling with these over scheduled kids who honestly believe that their conflicts are real!

I'm sorry, but your child's DECA meeting is not more important than my job. Your child's National Future Leaders of the Free World car wash is not a legitimate conflict.

They write me these emails that are so bossy and directive. This is an actual email that a senior at a top private high school wrote to me:

Dear Mrs. XXX:

I would like to schedule a meeting with you for my XXX U admissions interview sometime this week, preferably Wednesday. Is this convenient for you? And will the interview be over the phone, or will I have to meet you in person? I have many things scheduled this week and I am very busy so I would like to know as soon as possible.

Thanks!!

Sally Student



I am sorry Mrs. XXX , but I think this was a nice letter. They asked if it was convenient for you. I think you sound a little upity. Remember, these are kids, not war hardened elders like yourself. I am sure with time you will whip them into shape.

Seriously. A 17 year old sent that to me. Parents, I know you are helicoptering here. PLEASE advise your children to be more polite. I am not expecting all out deference here, but IMO, this is ridiculous. Then, I write to them, offering 2 or 3 potential dates and they write back, oh no, I am very busy, what else do you have? SO ridiculous.

The best is when the moms call on behalf of the student to schedule the interview. I tell them, "Thanks so much for calling. Please have Sally call me back or email me to schedule and interview, I look forward to meeting with her. "

And FYI, I used to work in the admissions office at this school, and the interviews do "count". They won't knock a qualified kid out unless they do something really heinous, but they absolutely can be the tipping point for a candidate who is on the bubble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was a senior in HS I was going to school full time, working two jobs, volunteering and playing on a sports team. I was busy. Not that I expected everyone to revolve around my schedule but don't assume all HS seniors are sitting at home playing video games or hanging at the mall - lots of teens I know are legitimately busy.

I would presume that ALL of those activities would end once you made it to college right? And the point of much of that stuff is in pursuit of getting into a good college, right? So, I am sure that a volunteer shift/practice/class could have been missed for a college interview. I did all of those things in HS as well and I was still able to prioritize based on what was important for my future.

[Anonymous]

"or will I have to meet you in person?"

There is nothing nice, respectful or appreciative about this question. Everyone is busy, high schoolers included, but these kids are so entitled and helicoptered they are not prepared for the real world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"or will I have to meet you in person?"

There is nothing nice, respectful or appreciative about this question. Everyone is busy, high schoolers included, but these kids are so entitled and helicoptered they are not prepared for the real world.

+1

[Anonymous]

The letter does not sound that bad to me. It is a 17 year old. Years ago I went through some of my old writings, and I can't beleive how idiotic I sounded. However, it was completley normal for a 17 year old.

Sally Student may have done other interviews over the phone, and she may be asking an innocent question. Don't put the emphasis on "have to meet you in person".

She may not know that you are a busy ubber important person. You should give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure someone did that for you once or twice in your life.

[Anonymous]

it works both ways. I am a potential revenue stream so I would expect some type of gratitude in return instead of some smug har har har posting. How un professional and this is probably a violation of privacy rights and a violation of corporate business communication rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it works both ways. I am a potential revenue stream so I would expect some type of gratitude in return instead of some smug har har har posting. How un professional and this is probably a violation of privacy rights and a violation of corporate business communication rules.

Um, probably not for a random volunteer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it works both ways. I am a potential revenue stream so I would expect some type of gratitude in return instead of some smug har har har posting. How un professional and this is probably a violation of privacy rights and a violation of corporate business communication rules.

Huh? You must be one of Sally's friends who is too busy to actually meet OP in person!

The part bolded by others is what got to me too: or will I HAVE to meet you in person? As if it's going to be a huge PITA to meet with the college recruiter in person. When I was in high school I drove across our big, western state to meet with the alumus of my potential school. I went during Christmas break because that's when he had time to interview all of the interested students. He noticed my efforts and it was probably one of the reasons I got into the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it works both ways. I am a potential revenue stream so I would expect some type of gratitude in return instead of some smug har har har posting. How un professional and this is probably a violation of privacy rights and a violation of corporate business communication rules.