Monthly Notes, April 2020
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College Admissions Updates for Parents & Students
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Your Most Common Questions
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Here are some brief answers to the most common questions I'm hearing right now. If you need more information or have a question that isn't covered below, don't hesitate to reach out.
What's Happening With AP Exams?
They will still be offered, albeit in a different format. The
College Board website
has been updated with the latest test format and date information, as well as links to free resources to help students prepare. Students will have 45 minutes to read and complete three written responses. In a recent webinar with College Board, an official noted that any time not spent on the reading and analysis of the texts will not benefit students (read: they've designed this to weed out any cheating!). Some colleges are tentatively saying they are likely to offer the same credits as in years past, but look for official word from colleges in the coming months. In the meantime, find more free resources on
Revolution Prep
and speak with your AP teacher about how to ensure you are ready to ace these exams!
When Is the ACT/SAT?
As of now, June exams for ACT (June 13) and SAT (June 6) are still on the books, though that may change. Both organizations are working on increasing testing capacity as well as the possibility of adding new national testing dates later in the summer and/or early fall. I'll be updating here each month, but check with
ACT.org
and
CollegeBoard.org
for the latest information. (One important note: The College Board is refunding fees for canceled SAT exams, and ACT is offering free rescheduling for the June exam, but you are still responsible for registration--this is not automatic!)
What About Test Optional Schools?
Many schools (including, most recently, the UC system) are implementing
temporary test-optional admissions policies
, due to varying access to exams and test-prep resources. You should evaluate whether going test-optional is the right choice for you on a case-by-case basis, as well as whether it impacts eligibility for merit/scholarship money in any way.
Is May 1 Still Decision Day?
It depends on the school. While a growing number of colleges have pushed their
deposit deadline date
to June 1, others (including many of the most selective colleges) are sticking with the May 1 deadline. This can create a dilemma if you are evaluating offers from schools with different deadlines. You still have time to decide and evaluate schools, so don't feel pressure just yet--a call to a school with an earlier deadline may be in order if you genuinely find yourself unable to commit in another month.
How Do I Appeal Financial Aid?
Each school has its own procedure (many will want you to wait until you have received your official award), so you will need to contact the financial aid office directly. Be prepared for a more complicated process if you don't already have a FAFSA on file.
What About My Grades?
First, relax! Colleges are all going to be very understanding and flexible when they look at this semester's grades. They understand that some schools are utilizing pass/fail while others are giving letter grades. You will not be penalized in your evaluation because of this! (Nor should any senior worry about having an offer revoked due to coronavirus-related grading issues!)
Will Colleges Open In the Fall?
Colleges definitely all hope that they will be able to welcome their students back as usual, but this is a big, unanswerable question right now. Look for updates as the summer goes on about how colleges intend to proceed, whether online or in person.
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Community Service, Quarantine Style
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Colleges like to see how students contribute to their communities, particularly when that service is meaningful (read: not just a random compilation of hours to fill NHS requirements). And while current shelter-in-place orders mean that the majority of students are stuck mostly at home, there are ways that teens can help their communities. In fact, now may be the perfect time to explore a passion or interest while giving back to the community at the same time. Some ideas:
Assist Seniors
Yes, they need assistance with grocery deliveries and yard work, but seniors in your area may also need some social interaction--especially if they live alone or far from relatives. Consider making a video call to check in with a neighbor or write postcards to seniors in retirement communities.
Aspire to Age
is currently looking for local volunteers to participate in 20-minute calls/video chats with lonely seniors. Get inspired by this teen-developed website,
ZoomerstoBoomers.com
.
Provide Online Tutoring
Use social media and sites like NextDoor to offer virtual tutoring services or make a series of classes/tutorials and post them on YouTube. Check out
Quarantutors
, a com
pany that matches students with tutors all over the country.
Code for Good
T
here are lots of ways to put your programming skills to use for the greater good from home. Check out:
Code for Social Good
,
Benetech
, or
DonateCode
. You may also consider developing apps or websites for fundraising and volunteer efforts in your community.
Take Your Talent Online
Have a performing or visual art talent? Organize or participate in a virtual performance/concert as free community entertainment or as a fundraiser. Many small businesses are struggling, so see where you might be able to pitch in--maybe a dance or music studio could use you right now!
Start a Donation Drive
Collect donations from families, friends and neighbors and offer to pick up bagged items for delivery to local non-profits.
More Resources
Visit
VolunteerMatch.org for urgent needs in your area (from sewing masks to blood drives);
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College Choice and COVID-19
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These are crazy times, for sure. And seniors grappling with the sudden realization that they may not be participating in traditions such as Prom and Graduation are also faced with the weighty decision of where to go to college--often without ever having set foot on some of the campuses. It is a lot to digest, so take care of yourself as you process everything. What you should
not do is put in a deposit to more than one college to give yourself more time to decide. It's the equivalent of hoarding all the toilet paper during a pandemic. Just don't do it.
Don't Be Afraid to Reach Out
Colleges are generally being more responsive than ever to student and parent calls/concerns/questions, so email or call away. You will find admissions officers available and willing to chat.
Make Use of Opportunities
Virtual info sessions, personalized tours, chats with current students--it's all available, so take advantage of the new and creative outreach opportunities to learn more about the schools on your list. And don't just visit the school-sanctioned sites--really flex your research muscles and find websites and social media for clubs, sports, activities run by students; this will help you get a more vibrant sense of the campus community. Pay attention to how current students are chatting about how the college responded/treated them during the crisis.
Don't Feel Rushed
You have a month (or more) to decide. Do your research, listen to your gut, discuss financial realities at home, and don't be afraid to try something new or step outside your comfort zone.
Get Excited
Yes, everything is different now, but that doesn't mean it's all bad. You are completing a significant milestone and about to embark on a new chapter. Once you have made a decision about where you are headed, get excited--engage with the community, start making friends (online), and look for updates from the college on orientation and more.
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The second semester of junior year is generally regarded as a crucial moment for college admissions. It is usually a time for students to showcase all the progress they have made, academically and in clubs, athletics, theater, etc. This year, the playbook has been tossed out, and we are all in unchartered territory. The silver lining is that most colleges will be evaluating students on a more holistic basis for the next admissions cycle. In discussions with admissions officers over the past couple of weeks, I have heard the words
grace
,
understanding
,
empathy
, and
flexibility
more than once. Here, then, is some advice to juniors:
Breathe
First and foremost, take care of yourself and your family. Check on your grandparents, help your parents out around the house, chat with your friends, and figure out how to be OK.
Don't (Overly) Stress About Your Grades
Obviously, schoolwork still counts, so don't slack on your virtual assignments. But colleges evaluate you on what coursework you had available and what you opted to take, as well as your grades. They will still see your course load (rigor!) as well as your grades before (and after) this crisis hit. Be extra kind to your hard-working teachers--and not just because rec letters may take on extra significance this year.
Prep for AP Exams and ACT/SAT
You should still plan on taking these exams, even if some schools on your list are now test-optional. Get in touch with your teachers, and take advantage of the widely available (and now free) resources online to prepare.
Be Flexible
Be ready for colleges to pivot and add new application pieces (maybe they will add an essay or require interviews for test-optional applications). They are in as much turmoil as everyone else is, so have patience and courtesy. As you look towards summer, understand that plans may change and you may need to develop a completely different summer experience.
Reflect
All this time at home is giving us time to reflect. Think about what matters most to you as well as what you want out of your college experience. You have been given the gift of time, so use it--all this reflection will come in handy when you are writing essays!
Engage
Take advantage of all of the virtual resources colleges are offering, from live tours to chats with admissions officers. Investigate ways to connect with campuses and their communities. And on a personal level, engage in an activity or interest of your own. Now is the time to tackle that list of books you wanted to read or learn that new programming language. You are living through a unique moment in history. Maybe you want to document it through a journal, art, photography, or music. Do something for you.
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If you would like more support with your student's college planning, don't hesitate to reach out. I can help with all or parts of the college process, including:
- College search/list building
- Applications & Essays
- Resume development
- Career & Interest Assessments
- Personalized application plans
NEW: To address current needs, I'm now offering small hourly packages.
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Upcoming Test Dates (Expect Changes!)
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May 2, 2020-
Cancelled, new date TBD
June 6, 2020 (Register by May 8)
August 29, 2020 (anticipated)
October 3, 2020 (anticipated)
April 4, 2020--
now June 13th
June 13, 2020 (Register by May 8)
July 18, 2020 (Register by June 19)
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