I can’t really imagine the pressure for counselors. Not only do they have to do the work, apparently they also have to spend a ton of time reassuring kids and parents that it will get done. No wonder they aren’t getting done until the deadline.

We waited 6 weeks for our DC’s to get done. It was tough because we were told it would only be 3-4 and time was ticking. But, they got them in. Pressure on everyone this time of year.

if it's Michigan, camp out at counselors door. if they're not in, tough shit.

happens every year

Do students often turn in homework well in advance of a deadline? No.

It is totally normal for counselors to submit documents on the deadline date.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - we have the materials deadlines - those are the Oct 29 and Nov 1 days referenced in my post - and shared those w the counselor as well. These were for Oct 15 deadline schools and applications from student were in weeks ago. I know the counselors are working hard, but this is cutting it close.

It often does get close to the deadline.

One of my coworkers took 2 days off last week so she could stay home and write recommendation letters, several of which were last-minute requests. She had to burn her own leave just to make sure it would get done by the deadlines. (She also had to make sub plans and grade the work, so it just piles on.) She also worked the weekend.

People are doing their best. The problem is college application work has to be done on top of existing work, and people in schools are already falling apart due to overwhelming obligations. This will get worse as people continue to jump ship to other professions. Those who remain are doing the work of 2 or 3 people.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - we have the materials deadlines - those are the Oct 29 and Nov 1 days referenced in my post - and shared those w the counselor as well. These were for Oct 15 deadline schools and applications from student were in weeks ago. I know the counselors are working hard, but this is cutting it close.

Sorry, missed those were the materials deadlines. If there anything like our school it will be last second. I’d still go see in person on Monday for the Tuesday deadline. The whole process annoyed me last year as trying not to annoy counselor has control over your recommendations and all. Seems like they could over communicate a bit and relieve a lot of anxiety and probably get a lot less frantic emails.

OP here - we have the materials deadlines - those are the Oct 29 and Nov 1 days referenced in my post - and shared those w the counselor as well. These were for Oct 15 deadline schools and applications from student were in weeks ago. I know the counselors are working hard, but this is cutting it close.

If I remember correctly, most colleges will list what their deadline is for school materials (letters of recommendations, transcripts, etc.)

For example, here's UVA's
https://admission.virginia.edu/admission/deadlines-instructions

Student deadline for EA is November 1st. Teacher/counselor deadline is November 8th.

I don’t recall exactly, but know they are AFTER the student deadline. It may say in the school portal, not sure, my kid was independent and never saw them. My best recollection was 2-4 weeks range after application deadline.

Anonymous wrote:There are different deadlines.

Also realize that LORs are getting done during evenings and weekends; teachers receive no break from their over-scheduled days to complete these letters, and many of us have 40-50 to write.

Counselors are meeting with and submitting materials for hundreds of students.

The work is getting done.

For sure, I don’t doubt the hard work the teachers and staff are doing behind the scenes. I do wish they could give me a timeline - I’d be fine if the counselor said “our deadline is 5 days after the student deadline,” or whatever. Instead we have only been told their deadline is different, and they’ll get it done and not to worry. The problem is this team has missed deadlines that hurt kids, so I do feel like I need to be on top of it.

Do you know when the school deadlines are? Is there anything official?

There are different deadlines.

Also realize that LORs are getting done during evenings and weekends; teachers receive no break from their over-scheduled days to complete these letters, and many of us have 40-50 to write.

Counselors are meeting with and submitting materials for hundreds of students.

The work is getting done.

This was a great source of stress last year, I guess they have different deadlines for counselor and LOR’s. The counselor submitted all at once on last day for senior class.

Mine too - Nov 1 deadline, kid submitted app two weeks ago. Counselor knows of application etc. At one of the info sessions the counselor said the kids’ deadline is not their deadline, and that they may submit later. I am trying not to urge my kid to be a pest, but I wish they would get their stuff in!

Anonymous wrote:DC submitted apps over two weeks ago but counselor still hasn’t submitted transcript/counselor letter/teacher recs. Student has been in regular contact with counselor to share updates and deadlines for materials which have been acknowledged. One deadline is this Tuesday and most others are Nov 1. This is cutting it close - what should student do? Camp out in counseling office Monday AM?

First: this sucks, and I'm sorry your kid is dealing with this. And yes, I'd tell my kid to go to the counselors office and try to get it resolved in person Monday morning.

DC submitted apps over two weeks ago but counselor still hasn’t submitted transcript/counselor letter/teacher recs. Student has been in regular contact with counselor to share updates and deadlines for materials which have been acknowledged. One deadline is this Tuesday and most others are Nov 1. This is cutting it close - what should student do? Camp out in counseling office Monday AM?