But...My Mom Says I'm Smart...

Getting ready to start college is daunting, almost as much as the admissions process itself! It probably made you crazy, running around to get recommendations from teachers, bosses and the like. Did you think to ask your parents, the people who arguably know you the best?

Parental recommendations might be the tipping point for some schools, if recent trends are to be believed. Some universities are now asking that parents write about their children. Deans of admission have explained that parents give greater insight into their children's character and interests. But what happens if your parents are poorly educated or immigrants with a lesser understanding of the English language? This does not seem like a fair assessment of a student's abilities. Plus, if you were anything like us in high school, you're going to argue that parents just don't understand.

What do you think? Would you want dear old mom and dad writing your letters of recommendation? [The Chronicle of Higher Education]