New to the 2012/13 Common Application  --  Can Counselor "Opt-Out" Hurt Students Chances?

 On August 1st, the Common Application (Common App or CA) will offer guidance counselors the option of not submitting recommendations or evaluations on behalf of students applying to CA member colleges and universities.


A check box on the School Report Form will read, I will not be submitting an evaluation for a particular student because either “The demands of my counseling load do not afford me sufficient time” or “I do not have sufficient personal knowledge of this student.” 


It is not surprising that a number of colleges that do require a counselor recommendation as part of their decision-making process are concerned about this "new" option. The counselor recommendation has always been considered an important aspect of the student application, providing insight into the student's qualifications and personality on a more global and "progress over time" perspective. The  more selective CA member colleges require both the submission of a completed “School Report,” containing a written evaluation provided by the counseling office (or other designated official) as well as one or more academic recommendations from teachers.


Students and parents need to be concerned about the new "opt-out" policy because it may place them at a disadvantage.  In those public and private high schools, where counselor caseloads are smaller, counselors will be submitting their letters of recommendation, adding additional information and weight to that application.  Presently, there is no feedback loop to let students know that their counselor did not submit a recommendation for them. There is no option built into CA this year for a student to request an additional recommendation if their counselor chooses to "opt-out" leaving these students to compete against other candidates that may have three completed recommendations.


At a recent seminar on the "Latest Changes to the Common Application" provided by representatives from CA, when asked if CA had plans to monitor the use of the "opt-out" option, they indicated that CA would be maintaining statistics on how often counselors would be opting out and disclose that number for next year, which doesn't help this year's candidate.

So what steps should be taken by students and their parents to better ensure that college and universities have received all three letters of recommendation?

• Explore what your high school's policy is for requiring school counselors to write for their students.
• Set up an appointment to meet with your guidance counselor to request that they write your recommendation, provide them with a copy of your resume and additional student informational sheets, along with any forms for your colleges and your "Calendar for Applying" with your deadlines.  Ask if they feel confident and knowledgeable to write for you.
• Before your deadlines, follow up with your colleges to determine whether they've received all three recommendations and if the counselor has opted-out, what their procedure is for submitting an additional recommendation online or on paper.