It’s every senior’s favorite time of the year- college application season! With the overbearing stress, fast-approaching deadlines, and constant fear of rejection, what’s not to love? This year, however, COVID-19 is putting a dent in things yet again. 

Perhaps the largest change from previous years is the requirement for standardized testing- the SAT or the ACT. As test centers close down month after month and cancel the test, many colleges have gone test-optional this year, meaning it is the student’s choice whether he or she would like to submit their scores. The University of California system has even gone test-blind, meaning that they will not consider scores. Often regarded as unfair to economically-disadvantaged students, standardized testing is a point of contention in the college admissions process. Now, more emphasis will be put on grades achieved in high school and an applicant’s overall GPA. This change could lead to a positive outcome for the future that many have been advocating for.  

Another significant change concerns campus visits. Hopeful applicants, in typical years, look forward to touring colleges in order to get a feel for the “vibe” of the campus and find out more about what the school and location offers. This can be a huge influence over deciding not only where to apply, but also choosing where to ultimately attend. Although not the same, most colleges are now offering “virtual visits” and online information sessions to allow students to learn more. 

Finally, as the application process slightly shifts away from a more academic approach due to the absence of test scores and skewed GPAs due to online learning, more emphasis is being put on the personal statement and in general, an applicant’s character. The essays along with letters of recommendation will help to highlight a student as a person, and colleges will be extracting as much information out of them as possible. 

The question is, should college admissions stick to the changes that have occurred as a result of COVID-19? Many believe so, saying that the playing field is more leveled this way and there is a better chance to build a community of “good” people at colleges rather than those with the highest test scores. Even the most selective colleges agree. Jonathan Burdick, vice provost for enrollment at Cornell University has said, “I think there's actually a tremendous opportunity here to wed the deep interest in a more diverse, more interesting student body, and the opportunity to reconsider afresh what makes a student outstanding and well-prepared.” Time will tell whether this shift is a step in the right direction and based on this year’s decisions, how much of a role COVID-19 really played on the college admissions process.