There is no doubt that changes in the college application process due to COVID-19 will affect students applying this fall. I believe that some changes could help the Class of 2021, while others will make the process more difficult. One significant setback is that in-person campus tours are currently not being offered. This leaves many students without the ability to get a true feel for their prospective schools before finalizing their college lists. 

“I think that people need to get on campus to actually feel the environment, and it is harder to get that online,” Lal Yatagan ‘21 commented.  

Attending virtual tours and online information sessions in place of formal tours is not necessarily ideal. Another concern is that because many colleges are only offering online classes during this year’s fall semester, some accepted freshmen have decided to defer for the year. This could potentially result in fewer spots available for students applying during this admissions cycle.

One significant change that could help applicants, is that many schools, including the Ivies, have gone test optional. This could open opportunities for sixth formers who have strong academic records but are not the best at standardized test taking. On the other hand, it might also result in a flood of applications at many selective colleges, making it harder to stand out in the applicant pool. 

Director of College Counseling Ellen Deitrich stated, “Often I have been asked if this will make a school easier to be admitted to; the answer is absolutely no. It just means that everything else in the application becomes more important. Students will not be disadvantaged if they do not submit test scores; however, they should not significantly change their college list simply because a school is not requiring standardized testing.”

 One way for students to shine in their applications is through the supplemental essays, especially if they have been proactive and taken advantage of their time in quarantine. 

Ultimately, there are pros and cons to the changes in the college process that could both help and hurt the class of 2021. Happy application season and good luck to everyone applying!