Happy 4th of July! While we celebrate our independence, COVID-19 continues to cause disruptions to the college admissions landscape, as it has with all other aspects of life. News comes out daily about fall plans at institutions across the country, but with the ever-changing landscape, any updates are usually out-of-date even as they are published. Here are the answers to questions I am asked on a regular basis. I hope you find them helpful and useful in planning your summer with your student.
What do I need to know as my student heads into senior year?
Most colleges will NOT require test scores for admissions, including the California State University and the University of California systems. For a full list of institutions and their current policies (it's expanding daily), use this link.
Thank goodness for this, as many students have yet to take the ACT or SAT for the first time. I recommend, though, as least trying to take one or the other, if and when students can, as many colleges for now are still planning to use tests for awarding merit scholarships.
AP test results will be available beginning July 15. For specific information on score release, click here.
And there's more good news, as some colleges have announced that they will accept any score for college credit (and even give credit to students who didn't or weren't able to take an AP test.)
Colleges will be understanding with the lack of letter grades, participation in extracurricular activities or meaningful instruction for the spring semester of 2020.
There will be a question on the college application asking for information on how COVID-19 and its restrictions have impacted your student. All students should answer this prompt - please contact me if you have questions about this.
Colleges are beginning to announce changes to their admissions timeline; many schools are considering something like what Princeton has announced - one deadline, slightly later. Read more here.
While this may sound like good news, I highly recommend that students complete their applications and essays before Thanksgiving, regardless of application deadlines. Trying to finish applications over the holidays creates more stress between you and your student and generally produces poorer quality essays.
What should my student be doing now to make sure all deadlines are met?
July is a critical month for rising seniors because it is the last month of preparation before students enter the execution phase. On August 1, colleges will publish their additional essay requirements and application questions for the class of 2021. Ideally, students need to have their college list finalized by August 1 so that they can build a workable timeline and plan to attack these essays and college-specific questions.
By now, your student should have
chosen and confirmed a major of interest or general area of study
established a list of college search criteria, including financial parameters
confirmed at least two teachers willing to write a recommendation
and should be in the process of
finalizing the college list (by August 1)
completing a resume and list of activities/accomplishments
The next steps are
brainstorming topics for the personal statement
determining how many applications are required
completing all basic sections of the application(s)
If you are not sure where your student is on their tasks or if you have questions about how to accomplish these steps, please contact me.
Is it too late for me to get help for my student?
Absolutely not. As a college planning coach, I work with students at all stages. I prefer to start working with students before they've developed their list, as I get a better sense of the student's strengths and needs and can be most effective then, but if my workload allows, I often take on students in the summer before senior year, or when needed, after senior year begins. I can provide support for essay brainstorming and development, timeline and deadline management, college list research and balancing and essay review, among other things. And referrals are always appreciated.
Recently, I introduced the first in a series of individual mini-sessions geared to each step in the process, to accommodate students who prefer to work in short bursts or for families who do not want or need more comprehensive support:
How to Build a College List - a 2-part series, live now, registration information available here
The Common Application - available beginning July 10
The University of California Application - available after August 1, when the application opens
How to write your Common Application essay - available beginning July 10
How to write your Four UC Personal Insight Questions - available beginning July 10
Please contact me with any questions or if you know of someone who would like support for their rising senior. That's why I'm here!