How the Pandemic has Changed College Admissions for the Class of 2021
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By Amanda Cutrer ’24
In March, Americans were told to shelter in place, changing the world as they knew it. At first, bread baking, puzzles, and “Tiger King” served as pastimes for many. However, as the quarantine progressed, people felt anger and stress from the changing world with many working from home, being unable to see family, or experiencing other hardships.
For the class of 2021, not only have they started their senior year in distance learning, but the previously unchanging college admissions process is transforming, unleashing a wide variety of emotions among the senior class.
The SAT and ACT exams were repeatedly pushed back, and many students found themselves unable to take a test. Danielle Nader ’21 signed up for at least 8 cancelled tests, causing her to feel a lot of frustration and stress.
“Being told I can no longer take the test that I’ve worked and studied so hard for is very disheartening and disappointing, especially because I have zero control over it,” Nader said. Since then, she was finally able to take one, but many students like Nader will be applying without having taken a test.
Though many students feel helpless in terms of testing, the majority of colleges are becoming test-optional or test-blind to accommodate. Even the UC system has already announced it will be test-optional for 2021 and 2022 students and become test-blind in 2023 and 24, so not having a score on a standardized test may be something students will have to get used to.
Schools are saying that a lack of scores will have minimal impact. They say that when reviewing an application, it is about much more than a test score.
“[The] admissions team takes a wide-ranging and holistic approach to application review,” said Ross Bronfenbrenner, Associate Director of Admissions at Macalester College. “Our system is not based on a formula, but rather on a nuanced understanding of each applicant in their own context.”
Small and large schools alike always work hard to get to know each student that comes on campus, so even though Athenian students won’t have high test scores to show off their smarts, the schools understand the difficulty of Athenian.
“I know Athenian’s rigor and procedures regarding grades and coursework well. Not having test scores will not affect this year’s applicants,” said USC admissions counselor Will Peters.
Students can take a deep breath when submitting an application without test scores. Unfortunately, the class of 2021 has also been unable to visit colleges, a practice that many students and families partake in and enjoy when getting a sense of which school is right for them. Mark Michelini ’21 was concerned with finding his perfect fit.
“I always counted on being able to visit one of my top schools in person and having an ‘aha’ moment when I realized what my first choice was,” Michelini said. “This has been completely thrown out the window.”
He was able to adapt and find new ways to see where he wants to spend the next four years, such as Zoom calls with admissions counselors, alumni, and current students. Seniors like Michelini that expected to discover their top choice in person were faced with a dilemma, but luckily, colleges have done a lot to provide ways to get to know the school.
“Every single school now has put tons of resources into their virtual engagement options, and it’s astounding,” said Athenian College Counselor Tillie Gottlieb. “I think it’s actually easier and I have so many more students engaging than ever before.”
The amount of information available to prospective students online has increased immensely this year. This allows any student, even if they would not have originally been able to visit colleges, to check out any school across the world from the comfort of their home. Seniors can go to college nights and explore websites to learn about different schools.
In addition, there are many amazing virtual opportunities to replace the typical extracurricular activities that are not available in quarantine but would normally be included in an application. These opportunities are readily available for Athenian students.
“I look at people like Mark Friedman who are making amazing opportunities in terms of service that are virtual and safe,” Gottlieb said. She also mentioned the possibilities of “international and round square opportunities that are there, so much engagement with our equity and inclusion office[...], the athletic clinics, [and] people who lead forum.”
Athenian is providing students with a wide array of virtual ventures that help show what your interests are without having to physically attend a Round Square event, put on a play, or do any of the other activities that used to constitute a significant part of life.
Right now, the stress surrounding college is very valid and common, but it’s important to look around and see what wonderful new resources are available as a result of a terrible situation. It’s impossible to know how the admissions process will continue to change in coming years, but for now college applicants will have to explore and embrace the online world we’re living in.
