Early Action - High School Transcripts

[Anonymous]

Our public high school requires 15 business days after the kid submits an application to then send the transcript and other materials to the college.

Plus, colleges give high schools 7-14 days of grace period after the EA deadline to get their materials in.

So if the college’s EA deadline is 11/1, your kid should be fine. It’s not too late. Just follow up with the high school about the procedure for requesting transcripts to be sent and get that going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it over a month till the EA deadlines? (Most are Nov 1?). Honestly, that’s enough time for the school. I am not a pushy parent and rarely intervene but it’s worth you making a call to guidance counselor and saying, look she’s sorry but we need this by Nov 1.

I’d feel differently if it was a week out but that’s a super early school deadline if it is Nov 1.

The worst they can say is no but I think you should put a little pressure on and see.

Be kind to the guidance counselor when you call. Acknowledge how crazy busy they are and how much you respect their deadlines etc. and apologize for missing the school’s EA date.

Basically, plead for mercy. In my experience, kindness and humility go a long way. Then, if/when they’re willing to help, send a quick, personal thank you note.

These people are crazy overworked this time of year, but their heart is in the right place and they genuinely want to help the kids. Just ask nicely. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Our public high school requires 15 business days after the kid submits an application to then send the transcript and other materials to the college.

I know why they do this. But they need to explain. The HS is worrying their materials will show-up and there might not be an application to match it with. High schools would be well served to explain this clearly - and not have people think it takes them all those days to get their job done. DD had apps go in in Aug, so she would have been asking for HS materials as soon as the school year started. Lots of grousing on the part of the HS

[Anonymous]

has your DD emailed or discussed with her counselor in person herself? i think that would be first step if only overdue by a few days. my DD was in frequent communication with her counselor during this process last year - some last minute additions to list, some cancellations, some letters outside of common app, etc.

your DD won't be the only one to have missed a deadline (which is why they set the internal deadline so early) so good lesson for her to learn and figure out how to remedy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it over a month till the EA deadlines? (Most are Nov 1?). Honestly, that’s enough time for the school. I am not a pushy parent and rarely intervene but it’s worth you making a call to guidance counselor and saying, look she’s sorry but we need this by Nov 1.

I’d feel differently if it was a week out but that’s a super early school deadline if it is Nov 1.

I will absolutely try, but I understand that school counselors are super busy and my daughter isn't the only one who needs transcripts. She has been very standoffish with me about the entire application process and wanting to do everything alone and that I needed to let her do it alone and now this has happened. I'm also upset with myself about not standing my ground. I do remember asking her about the deadlines and I was told that she had it 'under control'.

Amen. Try not to blame yourself. I could have written most of this, too. As could many of my friends.

High school seniors tend to think they have everything under control and are ready to be independent. The funny part is that is true … sometimes. But not always. And it’s incredibly hard for us parents to know when to give them space and step in more forcefully.

I promise there are MANY other parents in the exact same position as you right now. We literally had an unpleasant conversation tonight with our DC about EA deadlines because we realized theyre cutting it close.

Fingers crossed it all goes in on time, but if something goes off the rails, I won’t hesitate to reach out to the guidance counselor for help (an extension/exception if DC misses the deadline.) They know high school seniors and no doubt have helped them (and their families) through this mess many times over the years. It’s a learning experience for everyone. 😊

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Our public high school requires 15 business days after the kid submits an application to then send the transcript and other materials to the college.

I know why they do this. But they need to explain. The HS is worrying their materials will show-up and there might not be an application to match it with. High schools would be well served to explain this clearly - and not have people think it takes them all those days to get their job done. DD had apps go in in Aug, so she would have been asking for HS materials as soon as the school year started. Lots of grousing on the part of the HS

100% yes!!! Same at our public high school up here in the Midwest.

Both kids and parents find it high maintenance and annoying. Mostly because the school doesn’t explain it well, but also because they’re very stuck in their ways and not willing to get moving earlier on EA applications submitted before 10/8. (Which is dumb because the more they finish processing in September and early October, the fewer they’ll have to deal with when the real crush hits later ….. )

The good news is there’s some extra give in the system. So back to OP, I think you’ll be fine even if your kiddo is a bit late submitting according to the high school’s internal deadline.

[Anonymous]

In our high school, they set these far out deadlines, but will bend over backwards to help a student with an emergency situation. OP, you have all the advice you need here. Good luck to you and your DD!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it over a month till the EA deadlines? (Most are Nov 1?). Honestly, that’s enough time for the school. I am not a pushy parent and rarely intervene but it’s worth you making a call to guidance counselor and saying, look she’s sorry but we need this by Nov 1.

I’d feel differently if it was a week out but that’s a super early school deadline if it is Nov 1.

The worst they can say is no but I think you should put a little pressure on and see.

Be kind to the guidance counselor when you call. Acknowledge how crazy busy they are and how much you respect their deadlines etc. and apologize for missing the school’s EA date.

Basically, plead for mercy. In my experience, kindness and humility go a long way. Then, if/when they’re willing to help, send a quick, personal thank you note.

These people are crazy overworked this time of year, but their heart is in the right place and they genuinely want to help the kids. Just ask nicely. Good luck!!

+1 be nice to the counselor; do not get mad!