COVID Creates Difficult College Decisions
Seniors decide how and where to continue their education while considering an uncertain future.
By Joelle Gendzel
Seniors decide how and where to continue their education while considering an uncertain future.
By Joelle Gendzel
Amidst the COVID-19 chaos this academic year has been, the class of 2021 has been busily applying to and deciding on colleges from behind a computer screen. Without college visits or in-person visits with guidance counselors, the process is drastically different than in previous years.
Seniors looking to continue their education next year may make decisions about where to attend school dependent on COVID restrictions this coming fall. Amy Hanna, Assistant Principal of Guidance, reports some students are considering a community college for next year instead of a four-year university due to the possibility of continued virtual learning.
“Some seniors have told me ‘depending on where we are virtual or no, I may stay home, I may go to junior college,’” said Hanna. “Why pay a UC tuition if you are going to be virtual?”
Aside from virtual learning, another major change in the application process is test-optional policies. Many seniors were unable to take the SAT or ACT this year due to the pandemic, forcing the UC and CSU systems, along with most other US colleges and universities, to suspend standardized testing requirements. Guidance counselor Kelly Markos views these test-optional policies as a way for more students to get a shot in the competitive college admissions process.
“Making the SAT and ACT optional when it comes to admissions decisions really opened up the playing field for students who maybe in the past wouldn't have thought to apply because they didn't score well or hadn't taken it at all,” said Markos.
After decision day, students must make the difficult decision about where to attend school in the fall. Many 2021 seniors may be unable to visit colleges before committing, making an already tough choice even harder.
“Without touring campuses, I haven’t been able to decide between my top three schools. Hopefully I will be able to tour campuses soon to get a better feel of each school,” said Heather Duckworth, 12.
Some students are coping with this uncertainty by attending a community college. With the possibility of continued distance learning in the fall and affordable tuition, community college can be a fitting option.
“Community college is good for me because it’s a cheaper option for school knowing classes might stay online next year anyway,” said Aimee Toney, 12.
As for the lasting effects of this year’s abnormal application process, it’s too early to tell. Seniors will make final decisions about their educational futures by May, and next year's class will begin their application process, likely still impacted by the pandemic.
“It’s all going to depend on the pandemic. Not where they apply or have been accepted, but where they end up going,” said Hanna.
Seniors looking to continue their education next year may make decisions about where to attend school dependent on COVID restrictions this coming fall. Amy Hanna, Assistant Principal of Guidance, reports some students are considering a community college for next year instead of a four-year university due to the possibility of continued virtual learning.
“Some seniors have told me ‘depending on where we are virtual or no, I may stay home, I may go to junior college,’” said Hanna. “Why pay a UC tuition if you are going to be virtual?”
Aside from virtual learning, another major change in the application process is test-optional policies. Many seniors were unable to take the SAT or ACT this year due to the pandemic, forcing the UC and CSU systems, along with most other US colleges and universities, to suspend standardized testing requirements. Guidance counselor Kelly Markos views these test-optional policies as a way for more students to get a shot in the competitive college admissions process.
“Making the SAT and ACT optional when it comes to admissions decisions really opened up the playing field for students who maybe in the past wouldn't have thought to apply because they didn't score well or hadn't taken it at all,” said Markos.
After decision day, students must make the difficult decision about where to attend school in the fall. Many 2021 seniors may be unable to visit colleges before committing, making an already tough choice even harder.
“Without touring campuses, I haven’t been able to decide between my top three schools. Hopefully I will be able to tour campuses soon to get a better feel of each school,” said Heather Duckworth, 12.
Some students are coping with this uncertainty by attending a community college. With the possibility of continued distance learning in the fall and affordable tuition, community college can be a fitting option.
“Community college is good for me because it’s a cheaper option for school knowing classes might stay online next year anyway,” said Aimee Toney, 12.
As for the lasting effects of this year’s abnormal application process, it’s too early to tell. Seniors will make final decisions about their educational futures by May, and next year's class will begin their application process, likely still impacted by the pandemic.
“It’s all going to depend on the pandemic. Not where they apply or have been accepted, but where they end up going,” said Hanna.