Coronavirus and College Admissions – 7 Impacts
Last Updated on March 30, 2020 by Jill Schwitzgebel
As we are currently immersed 24/7 in news about COVID-19 here in the United States, I considered whether anyone could stand to read one more word about it. But, I also know that the families I work with have questions about coronavirus and college admissions impacts. And, as I sit in my home like many of you, it seems like a good time to address concerns about what this means for high school students in the throes of college admissions.
Here are several areas that are likely to be impacted (or already are), as well as what I believe we should expect to happen:
(If a national or state level shutdown is enacted, numbers three through five become definite!)
1. Extended Deadlines for Enrollment
I’ll begin with the issues that will impact high school seniors first.
May 1st has long been known to be College Decision day. That’s the date by which students need to notify colleges of their plans to attend and make their deposits, after they have been admitted. Since the pandemic makes it difficult for students to visit colleges, and since there may be disruptions in communications both at the high schools and the colleges, expect that many colleges will extend that deadline. Some colleges, like Oregon State, have already announced that they are extending their deadline to respond to offers of admission until June 1st.
Here is a growing list of schools that have pushed back deposit deadlines to June 1, 2020.
2. Longer Waitlists
The coronavirus outbreak adds a whole new level of uncertainty to admissions. Admissions departments will worry that international students may not be able to attend or that students here may change their minds about going away to college. Their usual formulas to predict their admissions yield may not hold true this year. So, I think it’s likely that they will add more students to their waitlists in an effort to be sure to fill their classrooms and dorms next fall.
3. Admitted Students Events Canceled
Typically, colleges welcome large numbers of accepted students at campus events in March and April. Due to COVID-19, most schools, like Amherst College in Massachusetts, have decided that it’s prudent to cancel those events. If your family is planning to attend any of those, check your email and the college websites to be sure that they are still happening. If your student has not been able to visit the campus yet and is understandably hesitant to make a decision, check with Admissions to see if they’re extending the deadline for enrollment.
4. Tours and Information Sessions Postponed
Closely related to number 3 above, most colleges also have decided to discontinue their campus tours, information sessions, and on-campus interviews. In most cases, undergraduates serve as tour guides and hosts. Since many colleges have moved to online learning for the next several weeks (at least), those students are often not even on campus. As above, check your email and the college website for more information. (I’m finding that most colleges have a direct link to coronavirus updates, right from their homepage.) For many high school juniors with plans to visit colleges over spring break, I know this is especially disappointing.
5. Admissions Tests Canceled
To give you an idea how quickly things are changing, the ACT announced a change to their April test date, literally five minutes after I first published this. They have rescheduled their April test date to June 13th, or students can reschedule to another scheduled test date of their choice. Students who are registered already should receive an email. You can find all of their answers to questions about testing and COVID-19 here.
The College Board, which administers the SAT, closed test centers on a case-by-case basis in March. Students were either offered an alternate location to test, or their test was postponed with a makeup date to be determined. And just an hour after I published originally, they announced that they are canceling their May test date. Any students who are registered should expect to receive details about rescheduling in upcoming days.
For juniors that were planning and prepping to take these tests this spring, this might be more disappointing than having visits canceled. If it’s your student’s first time taking the test, you might be concerned about whether they will have time to take it more than once prior to submitting their applications. Just remind yourself that thousands of high school juniors are in the same situation right now, and because of that, it’s bound to affect how colleges consider the tests in admissions next year. I think we will see many more colleges suddenly become test-optional for applicants next fall.
6. Advanced Placement Tests
At this time, it’s just too early to know what will happen with advanced placement testing in early May. The College Board also administers AP tests, and it’s possible that they may have to make decisions about whether to postpone them on a district by district basis. I think it is unlikely they would be canceled completely, but we are in uncharted territory right now.
7. Spring Recruiting
Colleges often send their recruiters across the globe in the spring. Much international travel has been suspended, and many US high schools are closed. So obviously, colleges cannot send out their recruiters to give information about their colleges directly to students. Again, this might make it harder for students to learn more about potential colleges that they are interested in.
What Families Need to Know
I think it’s so important to maintain perspective – high school students are already experiencing major stress in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Don’t allow panic over college admissions to be another one of the stressors. The National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has issued a directive, encouraging colleges to be flexible with students likely to be affected. The Common Application has echoed that. The current situation, as you know, is unprecedented and I do believe that most colleges will try to be responsive to the situation. I think that you will find that colleges that typically consider demonstrated interest as part of the application will devalue that factor in the next admissions cycle.
The best thing that students can do now is to continue to focus on doing their best in their classes and homework. Online learning can be challenging for lots of students. Check in with them to see how they’re doing with it, even if you normally prefer to be hands-off. Since they may have extra downtime, maybe it’s time to encourage them to do some college test prep. Or, encourage them to spend some time on the websites of the colleges that they’re interested in, so they can learn a little more about the school.
For students who are seniors, reach out to admissions departments if you have questions prior to the enrollment deadline. Be patient in case it takes a little longer than usual to get a response. If you are supposed to be submitting a late test score or another piece of information for your application (unlikely at this point) and school closure or test cancellation has impacted you, again, contact your admissions officer. I think you’ll find that they’re understanding.
See also: Online Resources for College Admissions
