How will enrollment for last year impact the class of 2021:
Rick Bischoff, VP of Enrollment at Case Western Reserve University, stated that families shouldn't just ask about how deferrals might affect next year's class size (many schools have not had the numbers that some anticipated) but ask them about their yield and how many they enrolled. He said while some schools missed the mark and under enrolled due to COVID, some very well known schools sent out more acceptances and went aggressively to waitlists (he unfortunately didn't identify them) and greatly over enrolled. These schools will need to shrink the size of the following year's class to compensate. So when you talk to colleges-- ask them what their target will be for the following class and if that's smaller or larger than prior years!
Regarding all of the test optional mania, he also reaffirmed Case Western's test optional policy (including merit) by redesigning their reading process to only show optional test scores on the very last page.
Lastly, the big question for seniors right now: should I send my scores?
Bischoff says don't just consider whether the composite ACT or total SAT score is within the 50% range, consider whether the subscores support the preparation of their major. Colleges are not as concerned if an engineering applicant has a lower than 50% English score as long as their math/science score is strong, similarly if an art major has a lower math score, it's not as important. While this may not be true at all schools, it's something else students can weigh when deciding to use or not to use their scores this year.
