It should come as no surprise that frazzled parents and anxious students are trying to understand how this pandemic will affect one of the most important periods of their lives. Therefore, we have some advice for college-bound high schoolers, particularly, juniors and seniors. Under normal conditions this would be the time that many juniors would spend visiting college campuses to help decide which schools are right for them. Yet, the pandemic has made that nearly impossible. However, various colleges and universities are doing their best to help students make those decisions through online information sessions and virtual tours. Of course online research will fall short of an actual tour, but all things considered, it just may be enough for students to make sound, informed decisions. Just be sure to check the admissions websites of the schools that accepted you, or of which you have interests, to see how they are handling recruitment and what online materials or options they have available. May 1, is known as National Decision Day, when many students across the country make their final decision when it comes to which colleges they will attend in the fall. Yet, the pandemic has put a damper on many festivities, with this one being no exception. Therefore, in response, many schools have opted to extend their enrollment periods past May 1, to give applicants more time to figure things out. Keep in mind, however, that some colleges are rigid and sticking to their usual deadlines. Yet in these days of uncertainty, things are subject to change, so be diligent in the coming weeks and stay on top of checking emails from the schools that accepted you and see if there are updates or policy changes.

COLLEGE TOURS

ACCEPTANCE

TESTING

If you didn’t know, the April ACT and May SAT were canceled, and the June SAT may be next. In addition, the College Board is about to administer heavily truncated, 45-minute at-home AP exams for hundreds of thousands of students. So, with many test dates, of various formats, up in the air, many students will not get a chance to to take their first SAT until late summer, or early fall, of their senior year, and even that is not promised. Yet, there is always a silver lining. Most colleges understand this dilemma and have made some surprising adjustments. For example, the UC schools in California recently announced they will no longer require the SAT or ACT for any applicants applying for fall 2021 admission, and several other schools throughout the country have decided to follow suit. As a matter of fact, some colleges have decided to drop their testing requirements permanently. So keep checking in with your schools of choice to check for updates and announcements.

We know that we are living in confusing and troubling times, but just like all things, this too shall pass. Yet, until it does pass, be sure to continue to check in with the Village for continued updates.

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