If you've read my most recent article regarding colleges going test-optional in the wake of COVID cancellations, I thought I would share another (hopefully reassuring) update for juniors who are worried about their applications in the fall of 2020. With the most humble thanks to Wayland High School, whose counselors compiled these revisions to colleges' policies for the next admissions cycle, it is clear to see that the college world has turned upside-down, and changes will continue to evolve into the summer and fall. The bright side of the chaos: all students nationwide are now on an even playing field. School closures are ubiquitous, and 11th-graders are forced to transition to remote learning. Opportunities will be more limited, as internships, summer jobs, and extracurricular activities have been suspended or postponed. Although these ideas may send students into a tailspin, fretting over the "what ifs" is not a healthy frame of mind. Remember, colleges have always used holistic review when evaluating a student's application, which will be the saving grace for everyone across the nation.
What's a holistic review? Essentially, colleges look at a student as a whole person, not select pieces. Using this approach means that admissions officers will not fault students because the nation (and by default our teenagers) experienced an unprecedented calamity for which we were not prepared. Thus, colleges will look at trends and the big picture: Has the applicant taken challenging classes over his/her four years? Is the student's essay well-written and insightful? Do the accompanying letters of recommendation demonstrate a deep relationship with staff members, as well as attest to the student's academic strength and character? Remember, all colleges try to find a way to admit students, and they don't seek out the minutia.
As a counselor, these ideas are nothing new to me; I know colleges don't hyper-focus on a single variable (e.g. a student earning a C+ in a class rather than a B-) to weed students out. And, they certainly won't try to predict "what if." Everyone will recognize that the Class of 2021 will look very different from previous years: yes, their GPAs might be lower. Their resumes may be a bit shorter. They may not have any SATs or ACTs to report out. But that's okay: essentially, colleges (and students) will have to toss out any expectations that they might have for this fall, and frankly, perhaps the next fall. Remember that colleges are businesses, and they are concerns about filling their beds for the upcoming freshman class of 2020. College and university presidents are deeply worried that the coronavirus crisis could wreak havoc on their institutions' finances in the short-term and beyond. As such, it's possible that it may become even easier to earn acceptance at certain schools if they experience low enrollment in 2020; this upheaval and uncertainly may be a blessing in disguise for any 11th-grade student worried about their prospects in 2021. So take it from me: take a deep breath. Relax. Stay safe. And wash your hands...
