College Counseling Hours during Winter Break?

[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.

And why do you think the PP or any parent doesn’t thank their kid’s CC? Lots of assumptions on this thread, yours included.

[Anonymous]

I'm a CC at a DC private and our offices were closed over break. Students were told beginning in Sept. to expect this. Did I respond to students over the break even though I was forced by admin to take vacation days as the office was closed? Yes, because I care about my students but it was totally my choice to do so. Parents on this thread are the reason that many of the best and most qualified people are leaving schools (see Sidwell a few years ago) It's absolutely asinine to presume anyone will be available over the holidays. Any counselor should ensure that students are prepared for those early rejections and deferrals with well planned contingencies that include completing all work prior to break. Students need the break just as much as counselors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a CC at a DC private and our offices were closed over break. Students were told beginning in Sept. to expect this. Did I respond to students over the break even though I was forced by admin to take vacation days as the office was closed? Yes, because I care about my students but it was totally my choice to do so. Parents on this thread are the reason that many of the best and most qualified people are leaving schools (see Sidwell a few years ago) It's absolutely asinine to presume anyone will be available over the holidays. Any counselor should ensure that students are prepared for those early rejections and deferrals with well planned contingencies that include completing all work prior to break. Students need the break just as much as counselors.

Please let us know which school’s college counseling office is closed over the entire holiday break so we know when applying for our younger child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a CC at a DC private and our offices were closed over break. Students were told beginning in Sept. to expect this. Did I respond to students over the break even though I was forced by admin to take vacation days as the office was closed? Yes, because I care about my students but it was totally my choice to do so. Parents on this thread are the reason that many of the best and most qualified people are leaving schools (see Sidwell a few years ago) It's absolutely asinine to presume anyone will be available over the holidays. Any counselor should ensure that students are prepared for those early rejections and deferrals with well planned contingencies that include completing all work prior to break. Students need the break just as much as counselors.

Please let us know which school’s college counseling office is closed over the entire holiday break so we know when applying for our younger child.

Please let me know as well, I appreciate a school that allows healthy boundaries for its staff and encourages students to get applications done in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a CC at a DC private and our offices were closed over break. Students were told beginning in Sept. to expect this. Did I respond to students over the break even though I was forced by admin to take vacation days as the office was closed? Yes, because I care about my students but it was totally my choice to do so. Parents on this thread are the reason that many of the best and most qualified people are leaving schools (see Sidwell a few years ago) It's absolutely asinine to presume anyone will be available over the holidays. Any counselor should ensure that students are prepared for those early rejections and deferrals with well planned contingencies that include completing all work prior to break. Students need the break just as much as counselors.

Please let us know which school’s college counseling office is closed over the entire holiday break so we know when applying for our younger child.

Please let me know as well, I appreciate a school that allows healthy boundaries for its staff and encourages students to get applications done in advance.

troll

[Anonymous]

PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And why do you think the PP or any parent doesn’t thank their kid’s CC? Lots of assumptions on this thread, yours included.

I’d be willing to bet they didn’t. The tone of the previous posts alone is evidence to me.

And I posted above that I get emails over break every year with requests for last minute recommendations. I’ve received zero thanks from the students/parents who expect me to help over break, and I’ve been at this a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP CC: Not comfortable naming my school as I would like to stay employed and you strike me as the kind of person who would happily call on Monday. If this is a priority for you, I recommend asking this question to admissions when your child applies to high school.

+1 Absolutely ask that question, so we know to reject you.

-- Admissions

Interesting. So if the CC PP names the school, they will get fired. If a prospective parent asks about this policy, their child will be rejected outright. Why is the school so afraid to have this policy known and to answer questions about it? Why punish people for talking about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a CC at a DC private and our offices were closed over break. Students were told beginning in Sept. to expect this. Did I respond to students over the break even though I was forced by admin to take vacation days as the office was closed? Yes, because I care about my students but it was totally my choice to do so. Parents on this thread are the reason that many of the best and most qualified people are leaving schools (see Sidwell a few years ago) It's absolutely asinine to presume anyone will be available over the holidays. Any counselor should ensure that students are prepared for those early rejections and deferrals with well planned contingencies that include completing all work prior to break. Students need the break just as much as counselors.

Please let us know which school’s college counseling office is closed over the entire holiday break so we know when applying for our younger child.

Please let me know as well, I appreciate a school that allows healthy boundaries for its staff and encourages students to get applications done in advance.

troll

Not even a little bit trolling. DC’s school does exactly this. I think it’s great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a CC at a DC private and our offices were closed over break. Students were told beginning in Sept. to expect this. Did I respond to students over the break even though I was forced by admin to take vacation days as the office was closed? Yes, because I care about my students but it was totally my choice to do so. Parents on this thread are the reason that many of the best and most qualified people are leaving schools (see Sidwell a few years ago) It's absolutely asinine to presume anyone will be available over the holidays. Any counselor should ensure that students are prepared for those early rejections and deferrals with well planned contingencies that include completing all work prior to break. Students need the break just as much as counselors.

Please let us know which school’s college counseling office is closed over the entire holiday break so we know when applying for our younger child.

Please let me know as well, I appreciate a school that allows healthy boundaries for its staff and encourages students to get applications done in advance.

troll

Not even a little bit trolling. DC’s school does exactly this. I think it’s great.

DP. Exactly.

This school cares about the staff and wants to encourage healthy boundaries. This is a good thing which leads to staff retention and stronger morale, which benefits students.

At least two people on this thread understand that.

[Anonymous]

DD’s CC worked with students on making their application plan, had check ins with students to make sure they were on track, and students could schedule meetings or have CCs read essays at any time all fall. Before break, CC met with their group of students and made plans with each so everyone knew what to do if ED was a rejection or WL or whatever. If kids had an application due over break, they checked in on that as well. They asked students to email them to let them know about news but made it clear that they would not be checking email frequently so don’t expect an immediate response. My DD was accepted ED, emailed her CC to let her know and got a quick “that’s awesome! Enjoy the rest of your break” response a few days later. We had no expectation of CC being “on call” over break. Honestly, if you need/want that level of “service” you should hire a consultant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD’s CC worked with students on making their application plan, had check ins with students to make sure they were on track, and students could schedule meetings or have CCs read essays at any time all fall. Before break, CC met with their group of students and made plans with each so everyone knew what to do if ED was a rejection or WL or whatever. If kids had an application due over break, they checked in on that as well. They asked students to email them to let them know about news but made it clear that they would not be checking email frequently so don’t expect an immediate response. My DD was accepted ED, emailed her CC to let her know and got a quick “that’s awesome! Enjoy the rest of your break” response a few days later. We had no expectation of CC being “on call” over break. Honestly, if you need/want that level of “service” you should hire a consultant.

Happy customers have a different perspective.

I guarantee you if your kid got flat out rejected you would be on here stewing about the lack of a response for “days.” Usually parents like you are the type that have been complaining for years about every little thing at the school but now are miraculously “happy” because their kid was admitted to their ED.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD’s CC worked with students on making their application plan, had check ins with students to make sure they were on track, and students could schedule meetings or have CCs read essays at any time all fall. Before break, CC met with their group of students and made plans with each so everyone knew what to do if ED was a rejection or WL or whatever. If kids had an application due over break, they checked in on that as well. They asked students to email them to let them know about news but made it clear that they would not be checking email frequently so don’t expect an immediate response. My DD was accepted ED, emailed her CC to let her know and got a quick “that’s awesome! Enjoy the rest of your break” response a few days later. We had no expectation of CC being “on call” over break. Honestly, if you need/want that level of “service” you should hire a consultant.

name the school

[Anonymous]

Not PP but similar experience at Stone Ridge except DD did not get into ED. She is doing okay because she and her CC worked out a good strategy and also applied to some schools EA (which she got into). She is debating following up with another 1-2 RD applications. No expectation of true counseling over break as plans were made ahead of time for all sorts of scenarios.

And I’m not sure why you assume someone like Pp (or me by extension) is someone who has been complaining for years but is now suddenly happy. I think we just had reasonable expectations and the CC did a solid job with our daughter.