College Admissions - The "Not" Normal during the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Valarie R. Austin, September 28th, 2020, 2:30 PM EDT
(Previously Published on LinkedIn)
This year, high school seniors may be more stressed and anxious about the college admission process than any other time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, college admissions applications required students to submit academic grades, extracurricular activities and SAT/ACT scores. From the pool of applicants, college admissions officers selected freshmen for the next fall-spring academic year. COVID-19-related school closures have upturned the college admission process because countless high school seniors have received pass/fail grades, stopped participation in extracurricular activities and could not take SAT/ACT exams due to exam cancellations. This chaotic period has ratcheted up uncertainty for students and parents. In reaction, college and universities are exercising flexibility with their admissions requirements. In addition, students and parents can take actions to smoothly transition into this new college admissions reality.
College admissions officers use the admission process to find the best candidates who will thrive in their school’s environment and adhere to the institution’s values, culture and ethics. Academic grades are important in evaluating a student’s ability to handle college coursework. This past semester, high schools closed and gave students pass/fail grades instead of letter grades. Although disruptive, the pass/fail grades only impacted the final semester of high school for seniors. Normally, college admissions officers assess students’ transcripts from ninth grade through the senior year. The evaluation criterion includes the rigor of academic courses that students took to earn their grades over time. Without the “traditional” official transcript, one article stated, “If a postsecondary institution has a specific admissions requirement that is not directly addressed in a school’s standard transcript or school profile, they typically contact the school to request the necessary information” (http://bit.ly/MasteryTranscripts). College admissions officers also complement high school transcript reviews with letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, counselors, etc. Letters of recommendations are important contributions to the total picture about students. The input from these objective assessments reflect on the students’ character, academic preparation, discipline, or specified observed behaviors and actions. Due to COVID-19’s impact, some college admissions representatives are conducting virtual interviews with potential candidates to learn more information about them beyond their high school transcripts. With these checks and balances, one semester of pass/fail grades is not a deterrent to college admission.
Typically, college admissions applications require students to provide details regarding high school extracurricular activities. Fear of the virus and its transmission closed schools, which stopped school-sponsored extracurricular activities. A Today.com article explains that The Common Application is a universal online admissions application (http://bit.ly/today_com_admissions_covid). Over 800 colleges nationwide use it. In The Common Application’s newest iteration, an optional essay permits students to describe the impacts of COVID-19. Some students may take the opportunity to discuss their interesting spring and summer replacements for formal school-sponsored extracurricular activities. College admissions officers understand the chaos that COVID-19 created for high schools. This year’s final semester of extracurricular activities for high school seniors will not make a difference to college admissions offices.
For the 2020-2021 admissions period, TheConversation.com stated over 400 colleges such as Harvard and Yale are foregoing SAT or ACT exam submission requirements; so that, “the lack of test scores is not an admissions disadvantage” (http://bit.ly/TheConversation_com). Some colleges have instituted test-optional policies. An AmericanForeignServiceAssociation.org article explains the term “test-optional” as the schools will not require the submission of SAT or ACT results (http://bit.ly/afsa_org_admissions). Applying students should check their college(s) of interest website or call the admissions office to confirm the entrance exam requirements. Although, colleges are exercising flexibility with the submission of academic grades, extracurricular activities and entrance exams, the AmericanForeignServiceAssociation.org article stated, “College admissions officers are still looking for enthusiastic students who exhibit intellectual curiosity, want to learn and work hard, and know their institutions well.” Therefore, speaking with your college(s) of interest will put to rest fear and uncertainty about the uncommon admissions standards for this year.
Students applying for college admission also have power. The process of selecting a college is similar to buying a car. No one buys a car without researching its specs or conducting a “test drive.” High school seniors can take steps to select the school that best fits their academic and career needs. Parents are valuable in this process by listening, being supportive and providing financial guidance. In addition, students and parents will need to create a list of postsecondary schools to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and send its results to college(s) of interest to obtain financial aid. Seniors must identify college selection criteria. The selection requirements can include offered majors, degree program length, a match to the student’s academic profile, the student’s career goals, total cost of attendance, location, internship/after graduation employment rates, student-faculty ratio, etc. To research schools, Big Future, College Board, is a useful website (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search). The National Association for College Admission Counseling organization also sponsors virtual college fairs for students to interact with numerous college/university admissions officers (https://www.nacacfairs.org/virtual/). Additionally, schools of interest websites ought to offer course descriptions of majors; admissions requirements; net price calculators; and online virtual tours of dorm rooms, campus grounds, etc. High school seniors can take control in the college admission process by researching colleges to determine which schools will work best for them.
Remember college admissions officers are also feeling the pain from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is in your best interest to research schools that you would like to attend and determine if they are a good fit for you. When you apply, make sure your application is complete according to the schools’ admissions standards and be sure to meet any deadlines. If you put in the work and necessary research, you will be starting with the class of 2025 at the school of your dreams. Good luck!
Be well and stay safe!
Valarie R. Austin is the author of The Student’s Comprehensive Guide for College & Other Life Lessons. She has a wealth of knowledge on the subjects of career and college preparation. She also conducts career and college readiness workshops for high school students and parents. Check out her author’s pages on https://www.linkedin/in/valarie-r-austin, https://www.goodreads.com/valarie_r_austin and https://www.amazon.com/author/valarie_r_austin. A Youtube.com review of her book can found at https://youtu.be/xy_GSHlJsa0. The article was edited by Raffie Johnson. Copyright 2020, Vauboix Publishing LLC.
The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons
La Guía Comprensiva del Estudiante para la Universidad & Otras Lecciones de Vida
