The college application process is changing for many seniors across the country, as deadlines and certainty are in a frenzy due to COVID. Colleges are now more lenient than ever, and as seniors are turning in their applications, there are a few things to keep in mind that haven’t been traditional.

Test scores are now optional for a record number of schools in the country. Multiple students across the nation have had multiple test dates cancelled, as colleges are seeing this and making the switch.

Colleges are also adopting the belief that test scores don’t mean as much, especially if you have only taken one ACT or SAT. This is meant to benefit students, as many applicants are denying schools the access to their standardized test scores, believing one test shouldn’t weigh such a heavy burden on their chance of acceptance.

Not every school, but multiple schools, are pushing back their application deadlines to later in November. This hasn’t been as popular of an option in past years, but due to COVID and the fact that students haven’t had as much in-class preparation, most colleges think it’s fair to give a bit more preparation.

Senior Paul Marot thought the process was very beneficial.

“I liked this pushed back deadline. It really didn’t affect me much, but it definitely took away some of the stress. I think that colleges are really looking out for students. I cannot wait till the acceptance letters are out,” Marot said.