This Time column describes a new trend in the college admissions process, at least for a few colleges and universities. The idea is to have a parent write a letter about their child and submit it along with the traditional statistical data required with a college application. I actually like this idea. I suspect there are interesting insights into an 18-year-old that only a dad or mom can provide. And certainly, any admissions officer worth his/her salt can see through obvious puffery and obfuscation, and mine the letter for an understanding of who the child is, as well as his/her strengths and if they’re a good fit for the college.
