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The Impact of Covid-19 on College Admissions

By Kriti Sharma

The college admissions process has changed in several ways due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has affected every college-bound student at LHS. In the wake of Gov. Baker’s order ending in-classroom school for the rest of the year for students, colleges also are sending students home from campus in reaction to the virus’ spread. More students will likely attend college closer to home because the Coronavirus pandemic forced college students to suddenly leave crowded dormitories, and due to limitations on air travel, distance to home is being given more consideration by many admitted students as they make their final college choices. These thoughts weigh even more heavily on international students especially.

Admissions officers across the country also expect more students to take gap years and defer their enrollment until travel is presumed to be safe. While there have always been a few students who defer, or wait a year to attend college, because of Covid-19 more students than ever are considering this move.

Because of these changes, colleges will have to turn to waitlists more than usual to fill the class of 2024. This year, many predict that colleges will offer admission to more students to make sure their seats are filled in 2021.

With Coronavirus causing so much financial instability, more families will make last-minute appeals for financial aid, including many who never applied in the past due to cut paychecks and furloughs. However, colleges also suffered economic stress when they refunded room and board to students after Covid-19 forced them off campus early for their Spring semester. Still, colleges understand the economic harm the pandemic has caused and may offer aid to students who normally would not have qualified. Government assistance has also been provided to colleges to distribute more financial aid to those who are in need.

Because of Covid-19, student’s chances to experience work, new cultures, or participate in summer camps may also be lost, along with the boost those experiences would have given to their college applications. The limited time frame to participate in such activities will force colleges to reevaluate students according to this new way of life.

Athletic seasons also will change . Because of COVID-19, spring sports seasons and summer sports camps will be delayed or cancelled. College sports recruiting will also be impacted. In Massachusetts, the entire Spring sports season has been cancelled along with the start of summer extracurricular teams. This also forces high schools to adjust sports credit requirements.

Littleton High School, recognizing the disruption to class instruction the Coronavirus has caused, will award credit/no credit (pass/fail) grades for the second semester. In addition, numerous colleges have announced that because Covid-19 has prevented students from taking the ACT or SAT, they will admit students on a test-optional basis in 2021.

However, grades earned by students prior to the final term of this year will be closely considered in the college application process. Also, students who can submit test scores will have the opportunity to offer colleges more information about their ability to perform well in college.

No matter what is to come, students will always strive for higher education and colleges will be there for them understanding what this global pandemic has caused. But during this period of Covid-19, when our realities are being turned upside down, much of the college admissions process has changed. And students, especially high school juniors and seniors, should be prepared for a unique road ahead.

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