College Counseling Hours during Winter Break?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our CC office is (virtually) open most of winter break to help students finish RD applications. This is expected and understood by all. The staff who are working now get extra time off in the spring lull to compensate for working during this break.

This my understanding. Also from time to time colleges do reach out asking for clarification and ask about students. They may have additional questions about the curriculum chosen and you just do not know. It could be a disaster if a college counselor didn’t take the call and the said college just moved on to another school that has more receptive college counseling. Keep in mind that colleges build relationships with schools. I cannot imagine a single private school in the DMV just shutting down and saying they are not available and on vacation. Some of these posts could be really upsetting to parents needlessly. Please stop it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:General question regarding the schools where internal deadlines were weeks ago. Did your kids have midterms just prior to break? Our son's counselor has been available over the school break to review his essays for RD applications that he added. But overall, before break he was prepping for exams.

Ours did, and the kids knew it, so they had it all done before (or should have). Midterms are a big part of the reason for the early internal deadline. There is no reason to drag it out. All you should need to do after the ED is a no (and most are, so this is expected), is hit submit and pay the application fee on the ED II and RD apps. Maybe you tweak a few essays, maybe you add a few Hail Mary's or extra safeties in a panic, but this won't interfere with studying for finals and doesn't need to drag into the holiday break.

I completely understand and feel for the kid who didn't take this approach and is in panic mode, particularly the ones who really believed the ED would work out and even more for those who were surprised by "likely" EA rejections. I know some kids like that will look back at the original list as if they'd never really considered the remaining schools before. They feel like they are starting from scratch, even though they really aren't. Those kids are facing an identity crisis right now. But the CC won't help them resolve that at this point.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Parents should expect college counseling offices to be open during break. Most counselors may work virtually but yes they are available. Jan 1 is a huge deadline. Good luck!

I have sent 4 kids through various private schools and to 4 different colleges and there is absolutely no way I would contact a college counselor over winter break expecting an answer. This is a time management issue not an emergency.

Yes you would if your kid had an emergency which happens. College counseling is open over break. This is a job that is different than other departments. Have no idea who is trying to freak out parents but yes they are open. Usually remotely and have access and ways to get things done remotely. Again many people back at work and yes some jobs have busy times and this is one.

If you are making college counselors work on their break because your family waited until the very last minute to get this done, then at least make sure you say thank you to the counselors taking time from their families to fix your emergency.

Education is not like other industries. This is time off, and it is well deserved. That’s why, as posted earlier on this thread, schools help (over and over) to make sure everything is submitted before break.

You are most likely dealing with a kind person, who is giving up time over break to help you out. I’m sure that’s true for many counselors, who will do it simply because they are good people. Unfortunately, good people tend to get abused.

All college counseling offices for private schools are available for families over break. I would hate for people to think you spend 50k and have an emergency come up and someone will say they are on vacation. PP is clearly trying to troll.

I work in a private school. Good try.

You must work at one of the schools that people are not happy at then. Best schools with best college admissions are open over the break or working remotely. Ask me how I know...

I think the kids who need the college counselors over the break are at schools where the College Counseling office IS NOT doing a great job during the school year. I would love for people to be open and share how the process is working for their family at their private school with college counseling.

My DS had two meetings junior year with his counselor to look into colleges and plan a course of action. He then attended 3 - maybe 4 - summer sessions to work on the common app essay and supplementals. He had two meetings at the start of senior year with his counselor, and then he attended several after school drop-in workshops. All of his applications were in by 11/1, even the ones with January deadlines. He met again recently, but it was about a couple scholarships opportunities.

That's how our school works, though they don't have summer sessions, they have those during junior year. But, you are expected to have your full list of apps ready to go by the ED deadlines in November (even if you aren't doing ED). It is so much less stressful this way (my first was a kid who was submitting apps through February, which was torture).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:General question regarding the schools where internal deadlines were weeks ago. Did your kids have midterms just prior to break? Our son's counselor has been available over the school break to review his essays for RD applications that he added. But overall, before break he was prepping for exams.

Ours did, and the kids knew it, so they had it all done before (or should have). Midterms are a big part of the reason for the early internal deadline. There is no reason to drag it out. All you should need to do after the ED is a no (and most are, so this is expected), is hit submit and pay the application fee on the ED II and RD apps. Maybe you tweak a few essays, maybe you add a few Hail Mary's or extra safeties in a panic, but this won't interfere with studying for finals and doesn't need to drag into the holiday break.

I completely understand and feel for the kid who didn't take this approach and is in panic mode, particularly the ones who really believed the ED would work out and even more for those who were surprised by "likely" EA rejections. I know some kids like that will look back at the original list as if they'd never really considered the remaining schools before. They feel like they are starting from scratch, even though they really aren't. Those kids are facing an identity crisis right now. But the CC won't help them resolve that at this point.

Please stop. Again you clearly do not have a senior. So much can happen even behinds apps. Keep in mind some schools are giving decisions early January and the colleges are going through the millions of apps and definitely not unusual to have questions. College counseling is open over break and the person who keeps writing it isn’t should name the school and they do not because it is not true. I have been through this two times and the idea of some troll giving out nasty information is plain wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:General question regarding the schools where internal deadlines were weeks ago. Did your kids have midterms just prior to break? Our son's counselor has been available over the school break to review his essays for RD applications that he added. But overall, before break he was prepping for exams.

Ours did, and the kids knew it, so they had it all done before (or should have). Midterms are a big part of the reason for the early internal deadline. There is no reason to drag it out. All you should need to do after the ED is a no (and most are, so this is expected), is hit submit and pay the application fee on the ED II and RD apps. Maybe you tweak a few essays, maybe you add a few Hail Mary's or extra safeties in a panic, but this won't interfere with studying for finals and doesn't need to drag into the holiday break.

I completely understand and feel for the kid who didn't take this approach and is in panic mode, particularly the ones who really believed the ED would work out and even more for those who were surprised by "likely" EA rejections. I know some kids like that will look back at the original list as if they'd never really considered the remaining schools before. They feel like they are starting from scratch, even though they really aren't. Those kids are facing an identity crisis right now. But the CC won't help them resolve that at this point.

I can think of at least two kids who made a change over holidays and are now attending said schools. You know not what of what your speak. CC was absolutely involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our CC office is (virtually) open most of winter break to help students finish RD applications. This is expected and understood by all. The staff who are working now get extra time off in the spring lull to compensate for working during this break.

This my understanding. Also from time to time colleges do reach out asking for clarification and ask about students. They may have additional questions about the curriculum chosen and you just do not know. It could be a disaster if a college counselor didn’t take the call and the said college just moved on to another school that has more receptive college counseling. Keep in mind that colleges build relationships with schools. I cannot imagine a single private school in the DMV just shutting down and saying they are not available and on vacation. Some of these posts could be really upsetting to parents needlessly. Please stop it.

This is a great point! Colleges do reach out to private college counselors and do have questions and if they are getting an automated email saying they are not available that would be detrimental to the student's application. Which school is previous poster talking about that the College Counselors are absolutely not available? That would be a school we would not apply to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:General question regarding the schools where internal deadlines were weeks ago. Did your kids have midterms just prior to break? Our son's counselor has been available over the school break to review his essays for RD applications that he added. But overall, before break he was prepping for exams.

Ours did, and the kids knew it, so they had it all done before (or should have). Midterms are a big part of the reason for the early internal deadline. There is no reason to drag it out. All you should need to do after the ED is a no (and most are, so this is expected), is hit submit and pay the application fee on the ED II and RD apps. Maybe you tweak a few essays, maybe you add a few Hail Mary's or extra safeties in a panic, but this won't interfere with studying for finals and doesn't need to drag into the holiday break.

I completely understand and feel for the kid who didn't take this approach and is in panic mode, particularly the ones who really believed the ED would work out and even more for those who were surprised by "likely" EA rejections. I know some kids like that will look back at the original list as if they'd never really considered the remaining schools before. They feel like they are starting from scratch, even though they really aren't. Those kids are facing an identity crisis right now. But the CC won't help them resolve that at this point.

You are so wrong on so many levels and I am thinking you are not a private school parent or at least not one at a top private. Otherwise you would be fully aware that regardless of deadlines that colleges DO contact highschools with questions and an unavailable college counselor could be detrimental to a student's application. Also even if all applications were in months early - you would surely know that many colleges follow up with students for additoansl information and a student would need the guidance of a PROFESSIONAL to best answer those questions and sometimes the college needs more information from the CC office.

[Anonymous]

Wow, so many entitled parents on here.

Colleges are closed during the winter break, they are not reading your kid's application and needing input from the counselor.

Parents who did not plan accordingly are in panic mode, but a lot of this can be alleviated if you did the work in the preceding six months. Yes, some kids don't get in early. Even if they don't, the applications should have been ready to go when they hear the news so they can just click submit. Life will go on, they will get in somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, so many entitled parents on here.

Colleges are closed during the winter break, they are not reading your kid's application and needing input from the counselor.

Parents who did not plan accordingly are in panic mode, but a lot of this can be alleviated if you did the work in the preceding six months. Yes, some kids don't get in early. Even if they don't, the applications should have been ready to go when they hear the news so they can just click submit. Life will go on, they will get in somewhere.

They can't read either. Someone answers a specific question about what it's like at their school that DOES have an internal deadline plus midterms, and they jump all over them acting like that person is saying it's that way for everyone! LOL. It is a stressful time, so giving grace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:General question regarding the schools where internal deadlines were weeks ago. Did your kids have midterms just prior to break? Our son's counselor has been available over the school break to review his essays for RD applications that he added. But overall, before break he was prepping for exams.

Ours did, and the kids knew it, so they had it all done before (or should have). Midterms are a big part of the reason for the early internal deadline. There is no reason to drag it out. All you should need to do after the ED is a no (and most are, so this is expected), is hit submit and pay the application fee on the ED II and RD apps. Maybe you tweak a few essays, maybe you add a few Hail Mary's or extra safeties in a panic, but this won't interfere with studying for finals and doesn't need to drag into the holiday break.

I completely understand and feel for the kid who didn't take this approach and is in panic mode, particularly the ones who really believed the ED would work out and even more for those who were surprised by "likely" EA rejections. I know some kids like that will look back at the original list as if they'd never really considered the remaining schools before. They feel like they are starting from scratch, even though they really aren't. Those kids are facing an identity crisis right now. But the CC won't help them resolve that at this point.

Please stop. Again you clearly do not have a senior. So much can happen even behinds apps. Keep in mind some schools are giving decisions early January and the colleges are going through the millions of apps and definitely not unusual to have questions. College counseling is open over break and the person who keeps writing it isn’t should name the school and they do not because it is not true. I have been through this two times and the idea of some troll giving out nasty information is plain wrong.

The PP is talking about their own school. Chill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, so many entitled parents on here.

Colleges are closed during the winter break, they are not reading your kid's application and needing input from the counselor.

Parents who did not plan accordingly are in panic mode, but a lot of this can be alleviated if you did the work in the preceding six months. Yes, some kids don't get in early. Even if they don't, the applications should have been ready to go when they hear the news so they can just click submit. Life will go on, they will get in somewhere.

Admissions at many colleges are most definitely not on break! Many of them send out motivations next week!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, so many entitled parents on here.

Colleges are closed during the winter break, they are not reading your kid's application and needing input from the counselor.

Parents who did not plan accordingly are in panic mode, but a lot of this can be alleviated if you did the work in the preceding six months. Yes, some kids don't get in early. Even if they don't, the applications should have been ready to go when they hear the news so they can just click submit. Life will go on, they will get in somewhere.

They can't read either. Someone answers a specific question about what it's like at their school that DOES have an internal deadline plus midterms, and they jump all over them acting like that person is saying it's that way for everyone! LOL. It is a stressful time, so giving grace.

When one college had questions, they reached out directly to my child and not to his school.

Our child answered them during break, and life went on. He got his acceptances and is now in college. We didn’t involve his college counselor during break.

Yes, this is a stressful time. I don’t get the hostility toward posters who have had different experiences than you.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Parents should expect college counseling offices to be open during break. Most counselors may work virtually but yes they are available. Jan 1 is a huge deadline. Good luck!

I have sent 4 kids through various private schools and to 4 different colleges and there is absolutely no way I would contact a college counselor over winter break expecting an answer. This is a time management issue not an emergency.

Yes you would if your kid had an emergency which happens. College counseling is open over break. This is a job that is different than other departments. Have no idea who is trying to freak out parents but yes they are open. Usually remotely and have access and ways to get things done remotely. Again many people back at work and yes some jobs have busy times and this is one.

Yup lots of people in high level jobs are back to work Monday and Tuesday of this week. Off today and back to work Thursday and Friday.

Yes but the organizations they work for are not closed.

Exactly. Education is a different field. Schools are completely shut down this week. If people are working, it’s out of the kindness of their hearts on their days off.

Oh please. So not true. The schools with the best college admissions have college counselors completely available this week. You sound lazy!

Definitely not lazy. I just don’t plan to abuse others. Schools are closed. I know that many think teachers/counselors are personal servants. I’m not like that. I respect people and their time. This is a holiday weekend.

Also, “lazy” isn’t a term for a family that had these applications done in October. If your child is scrambling now at the very last minute (probably after ignoring his counselor’s many attempts to get this done already) let’s evaluate whether “lazy” should be attributed to your family.

Nope. My kid is all finished and we are all set. I just have compassion and know that across the country and in DC the top private schools with best college results have college counselors responding and available this week.

That’s quite a statement that can’t be backed up. We attend a top school and ours is closed, which isn’t a problem because internal deadlines were weeks ago and the students are done.

As for compassion, do you have any compassion for the school employees who you demand work even though their place of employment is closed? Does your compassion reach that far, or are they mere cogs to you?

DP. They are not off at all schools. You are misinformed. Some schools actually specifically say they are working remotely and are available this- this the question of this entire thread. Some are available and let their students know that. Your situation and school is one that is closed but do not speak for all.

NP. You seem to be saying the same thing as the person you are quoting, who never said all school CCOs were closed, only that theirs was. In response to others saying they were all available. Please repeat your own final advice and “do not speak for all.”

Thank you. I am the PP. I never questioned another person’s experience. I do take issue with the statement unthread that the quality of a school is determined by whether a counseling office is open this week.

I also take issue with the assumptions above that the “good” counselors are available this week. My DS’s is amazing, and has internal deadlines to avoid what probably sparked this thread: last-minute applications. He’s not available this week, but he also doesn’t have to be. He more than earned to take time off with the rest of the school’s employees.

And on a general note: I hope people say thank you to the counselors working this week. Whether or not they have remote hours, they are working when all of their colleagues are not. Just find the heart to show a bit of gratitude.

You are so dramatic! Let’s see what you say once the results come in. Btw I know boys working on their apps still this week! Their Shocking early actions changed the entire tenure of their application strategies. Early action rejections that should have been a safety based on their stats changed their application strategy. Hopefully they don’t have your counselor who is on vacation!

What’s dramatic about wondering whether you have any appreciation at all for people working when their coworkers aren’t?

Do you? Do you have any appreciation, or do you simply assume that it’s a service they must provide you?

It is called having a job. It is not a free service. Many of my friends have been working this week in fields that require it. The position of CC at most schools requires them to work this week and that is it - just like other fields of work where they are required to work this week.

So no gratitude. Got it.

Those friends of yours work in buildings and offices that are open. Counselors are working when every other colleague is on break.

I’d think a “thank you” for their time during the holidays would be nice, but if you simply see them as “at your service” that’s probably a lot to ask.

[Anonymous]

My dc is still years off from college but this thread is very informative (and mildly entertaining). What I’ve learned is to hire a private counselor if one can afford it.

[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.

You lack self-awareness, PP. My kid has severe ADHD and we managed: yes, I helped him. He got stuff in at the very last minute. Did I expect and demand stuff from others? No. We're a messy, disorganized household and we have to deal with it. Give the poor college counselors a break already.