College Admissions in the Age of COVID-19

College Admissions in the Age of COVID-19: Colleges have closed and students are finishing up their semesters online at home. (We have two. It’s weird.) But the classes of 2020 and 2021 have experienced cancelled spring campus tours and cancelled ACT/SAT exams. And that brings a whole new calculus into college admissions in the age of COVID-19. So we sat down with Independent College Consultant, Neal Schwartz of Armonk’s College Planning of Westchester for a chat.

How has COVID-19 upended college admissions for the class of 2020?

For those who have already made their college decisions through early admission it has had little effect. But students who were depending on spring campus visits for a final round of comparison shopping are clearly impacted. Imagine if you were planning on these in-person visits to make your final choice. And then campus tours are cancelled. What’s Plan B?

The big state universities and private colleges with large endowments, have very good online tours. But they’re not the same as an in-person visit. Students interested in smaller schools with less resources have a tough time getting that warm and fuzzy feeling before they have to select a college. And, of course, it’s not a minor decision. Their college will not only be the educational foundation for their career but their home for the next four years is unfortunate.

What’s the lesson for students of the class of 2021?

Don’t hesitate. Move your schedule up 60 to 90 days. We are watching events change very rapidly. Spring ACT and SAT exams were cancelled. Assuming the mitigation efforts we are making as a society work and the scientific community develops therapeutics and eventually vaccines we will be back to normal before fall. But, the virus could return then, too.

While high school students will have to finish classes, sports and extra-curriculars are cancelled. They have time to devote to college planning that might otherwise have to wait until the summer.

How would you have student’s organize their college planning?

College counseling is usually thought of in a serial process. Take care of grades in school and SAT/ACT testing and THEN start college planning. Now, students need to be prepared to take campus tours when they have an open window to do so. I would organize the college process this way:

• Up-front your college planning with an eye to developing a preliminary college list by the end of the school year.
• Talk to your students about college and careers as generally as you can or as specifically as they will tolerate.
• Use this time for online college research.
• Parents should reach out to friends and colleagues with college students or recent graduates who may be familiar with schools in their student’s pipeline.
• Students should reach out to kids from their high school attending colleges via phone, email and social media.
• Meet with an Independent College Consultant online who can help you frame your research, identify additional resources and share their expertise.

When should they start on their college essays?

Start now! For most people this is a summer project. But the sooner you can get through the Common App Essay, the sooner you can get some visibility into the Supplemental Essay questions from colleges that interest you the most. The supplementals tell you a lot about a school and can help you refine your lists. Remember, the idea is to push up the development of your college wish list so you are prepared to go on campus tours when they are offered again. If you think you might need essay help from an Independent College Consultant – pick up the phone.

What about the college boards?

Finally, be prepared to take the next round of ACT and SAT exams when they are offered. The next tests are scheduled for June and July. More tests are scheduled in the fall. But you will be busy with applications then. So be prepared for the next round of exams.

Can’t The College Board just switch to online testing?

Don’t assume the ACT or SAT exams will transfer to online testing. Both companies had been looking at online testing before the Coronavirus. But, that was intended for a room of students taking online exams. It is an idea that is meant to address cheating on paper testing. The idea involves dynamic tests utilizing a pool of questions with test-takers getting different questions. It is not meant to move towards self-testing in the home. And I don’t think they could pivot fast enough to transition to online testing for this class.

Some schools have announced they will go “test optional” for the class of 2021. That’s not necessarily a positive for students anticipating high scores. Other schools announced they won’t look at test scores. Maybe. But what if the schools on your list are looking at them. Best to be prepared to include an ACT/SAT exam in your college applications. And best to be prepared to take them the next chance you get.

What accommodations have you made in your business for the class of 2021?

We have a lot of experience with online test prep. We work with students in Florida, South Africa, and even locally. So, we were able to easily pivot to 100% online tutoring. Students like the ability to work from home and are more engaged. Tutors found that they were connecting with students even better than in person and that students display better focus and endurance. We’re also beginning online conferences with full practice tests to simulate the stress and stamina needed to take the college boards.

It’s going to be a difficult year to prepare for the May AP exams…

Schools do a fantastic job preparing students for the AP tests. With this year’s disruptions, I expect that some gaps will develop.  We are already getting AP tutoring requests. And we have lined up AP subject tutors who are ready to meet the demand that I expect to come in April.

About Neal: Neal is a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association and a contributor to What To Do’s Back To School features. College Planning of Westchester provides college counseling programs, including SAT/ACT prep, college list, resume, essay and application. (College Planning of Westchester, 200 Business Park Dr., Armonk; 914.273.2353;   www.collegeplanningofwestchester.com)