College Admissions: Coping in the Era of COVID

This is a shout out to all the high school juniors and seniors (and everyone else) out there!

Take a deep breath. It’s going to be okay! We are all in this together and want you to know that everyone is going to work together to help you. While things may look a little different as you plan ahead for college or career opportunities after graduation, the goal will be the same: for you to reach your goals.

Below are some helpful tips about how to navigate college placement testing, volunteering, and college tours as you plan for your future!

College Placement Tests

First, let’s tackle College Placement Tests:

• SAT Tests
  The June 2020 test has been canceled. A new September date has been set for testing. View SAT COVID updates.
• ACT Tests
  As of right now, ACT is planning on its June 13 test date. Be sure to check the ACT website for updated information! View ACT COVID updates.
• PERT Testing
  In-person testing is currently not available. Contact your individual state college for more information about testing options.

Pro Tip: Before COVID-19, many universities were already moving to become test-optional. The best thing to do would be to keep checking on the admissions page of the universities that you are interested in for the most up-to-date information. As every university is different, it is imperative to stay well-informed on admissions changes.

Volunteering

Let’s talk volunteering. Remember, your safety is always our number one priority! Many students are wondering how they can earn volunteer hours during these unusual times. First, do not stress. Everyone is in the same boat as you and college/university admission teams understand.

Here are some volunteering ideas:

• Sew masks for friends and family
  If you would like to donate masks, check with your local hospital for options. Here is an example from Orlando Health.
• Smithsonian Digital Volunteer Program
  Help transcribe historic documents in your spare time.
• Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network
  Help track rainfall from your own backyard. 
• Volunteer Match
  Search for opportunities on Volunteer Match. 

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to volunteering!

College Tours

There are many ways to virtually visit colleges! Check out some of these sites to find the college of your dreams.

• You Visit
• Campus Tours
• Campus Reel

Pro Tip: Be sure to check out the direct websites of the colleges in which you are interested. Many have their own virtual college tours right on their website.

Bottom line: We will get through this together! While the plan may look a little bit different and we will have to be creative and flexible…

You will achieve your goals!