As we are facing an unprecedented global crisis, the news is constantly changing. That is why we created the following collection of resources and updates. Here, college applicants can access all the latest information regarding college admissions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us using our contact form if you have any other questions related to this year’s application process. We wish you and yours health and safety during this time of uncertainty.
CEA News:
Our team is working around the clock to bring you the latest information, updates, and advice to help you through this uncertain time.
- CEA Founder and Chief Advisor Stacey Brook weighs in on how the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact college admissions. Learn more here.
- Stacey published a letter to students, educators, and parents on behalf of Team CEA. We’re also offering video workshops, worksheets and other free resources that may help alleviate some stress.
- We created a new YouTube playlist, College Admissions During the COVID-19 Pandemic, to help guide you through these uncertain times.
- We’ve made a separate page of COVID-19 resources for you and your family to refer to during the college application process.
- We’ve compiled a list of all colleges and universities that have announced plans regarding a Fall 2020 reopening. Click here to read it.
Latest Updates:
High School Juniors:
Testing:
- The spring SAT test dates have been canceled.
- ACT postponed its April 4th test to June.
- The AP test will be shorter and online.
- The June SAT has been canceled. It’s possible that the test could be administered online and at home in the fall, says The Washington Post.
- The College Board is working to ensure the SAT is available to all students this fall. Learn more here.
- Starting in September 2020, students will be able to choose if they want to take the ACT in person or online. You can read more by clicking here.
- On May 21, the University of California “approved a plan to suspend testing requirements for the next two years and then omit test scores from the review of in-state applications in 2023 and 2024,” according to The Washington Post. Additionally, The New York Times reported that “In 2025, consideration of the SAT or ACT for any student’s admission, in or out of state, would be eliminated.”
- Another article from The Washington Post reports that the College Board is no longer offering at-home SAT testing, but has “urged selective colleges to extend deadlines for students to submit SAT scores and hold harmless any applicants who are unable to take the test because of the virus.”
College Applications, Admissions, and Advising:
- More and more schools are dropping SAT and ACT requirements for fall 2021 applicants. Check out a complete list of test-optional schools here.
- We put our best-selling course, College Essay Academy, on YouTube for students, parents and educators to access for free!
- The New York Times put together a handy guide to help students (virtually) tour colleges and universities throughout the US.
- Speaking of virtual tours, we’ve compiled our very own Virtual Tour Directory, a one-stop-shop for virtual tours and other resources.
- The Washington Post reports that colleges and universities across the country are struggling to fill their incoming classes amidst the pandemic.
- Common App will provide students with a dedicated space to elaborate on how the pandemic has impacted them personally and academically.
- Some experts are concerned that the shift to online standardized testing will “exacerbate existing systemic inequities,” PBS reports.
- Colleges and universities across the country are evaluating a range of scenarios regarding the Fall 2020 semester. Learn more.
- “Institutions across the board, from highly competitive Ivy League colleges to state universities, are digging deep into their waitlist roster to boost their enrollments,” The Boston Globe reports.
- In this additional article from The Washington Post, “More than 300 college deans explain what they want — and don’t want — to see from applicants in the COVID-19 era.”
- As the 2020-21 college admissions cycle moves closer, Newsday reports that inquiries about gap years for colleges and universities are on the rise.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education has taken a closer look at the University of Michigan’s new test-flexible policy, and has tried to clarify what the policy really means for prospective students.
Grading:
- High schools across the country have adopted new grading policies for the remainder of the school year as a result of the pandemic. Read more about it here.
High School Seniors:
- COVID-19 may cause schools to accept more students and offer more substantial financial aid packages.
- NACAC launched an admissions status database for high school seniors awaiting results.
- Some universities are pushing reply dates and deposit deadlines back to June 1.
- Everything you need to know about California schools COVID-19 responses can be found here.
- Many universities are offering virtual tours. Check out a few of our favorites here.
- Some college campuses may remain closed until 2021. Others are considering postponing the start of the fall semester. Learn more.
School Counselors and Educators:
- NACAC launched a tool for secondary schools to provide updates on admissions-related services (college counseling, transcript updates and more). This crowdsourced database is comprised of over 900 high schools — public and private — from around the country.
Post-Grad Admissions:
- COVID-19 is upending medical school admissions tests, Forbes reports.
- The GRE and GMAT are both offering online exams to accommodate prospective graduate students.
- The June LSAT has been canceled. The Law School Admission Council (the company that administers the exam) will “continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic closely.”
- The Association of American Medical Colleges, the organization that administers the MCAT, wrote that “a shortened exam will be administered from May 29 to September 28 to accommodate three test appointments per test date at test centers.”
- Cornell University released a statement explaining how the university will handle graduate school admissions amid the pandemic.
- According to Boston University, “the COVID-19 outbreak will have no impact on admission decisions.”
