Test Optional--What Now?

Now that most colleges are not requiring SAT/ACT tests, families are wondering how colleges make admissions decisions? This is a question that many in the admissions office still don’t know how to answer. The truth is colleges will still value the SAT/ACT if you are above the mean, but many students haven’t been able to take the SAT/ACT.

So the question remains, how will colleges decide? A student’s GPA is not of much value. The average student applying to college has an A- to B+ GPA. Plus, many schools switched to a pass/fail system this past spring semester and no one knows what will happen this fall to grades.

Colleges focus on various factors in the admissions process, including the rigor of course work, recommendations, essays, activities, demonstrated interest, and the student’s ability to pay. Colleges have always focused on the course rigor, especially since grade inflation at many schools means everyone has an A or B in most courses. Admissions officers evaluate the mix of courses and review if a student is taking a full set of courses in the key study areas: math, science, English, history, and languages. This year, recommendations will have greater weight, so students will need to coach their teachers on the key attributes they exhibited in class. Asking teachers to take on this task will be more of a challenge in the era of online classes and overworked, underpaid teachers. As always, essays will continue to help admission officers see how a student can add value to the campus.

Reporting extracurricular activities will be more difficult for students since the coronavirus has limited what they can do. Colleges will be looking for students who leveraged this time to help others, pitched in with family chores, or learned new skills. A number of our students at College Solutions obtained virtual internships, took college courses, read, learned to play musical instruments, and volunteered. This resiliency is something all colleges value. They are looking for people who keep moving forward, even when faced with obstacles.

Athletics are still important to the colleges. Coaches are still planning rosters and getting creative in evaluating players. They understand that prospects have more constraints. They want resilient players who make the best of things in these trying times.

Colleges to offer admission to students they think will accept their offer. Historically a significant way to demonstrate interest in a school was a campus visit. This took time and money. The good news is that now you can visit a college virtually. In addition, you can drill into the college by reaching out to professors and leaders of clubs or activities you would get involved with if you attended that college. Everyone at the school is thrilled to talk with you. After you connect, always write a thank you know to those you meet and copy admissions on your email. If you do a self-guided tour, email your admission officer and let them know what you liked. Don’t forget, all these interactions will be part of your application, so spelling and grammar count!

The ultimate way to demonstrate interest in a college is to apply Early Decision. This is a legal agreement by the student, the parents, and the high school that promises if accepted, you will attend. Historically many schools chose 40-50% of the freshman class from those that apply Early Decision. We expect that this figure will jump to as high as 70% for many selective colleges. Since this is a binding agreement, most people who apply Early Decision are also full pay students.

The ability to pay has always been important in admissions, except at 55 colleges that are truly need blind. It is now REALLY IMPORTANT. Whenever there is a recession, public and private colleges are impacted. Their endowment is likely to decline, as will donations, plus families will need more financial aid. Colleges are a business, a BIG Business. In the last six months, we have seen colleges furlough entire departments, lay off many employees, and cancel programs. Budget cuts will continue as a way to save money, but in some cases, it will be an excuse to realign the budget with a revised strategic direction.

In summary, families and students need someone who has visited these campuses before the pandemic and are now up to date regarding the changes happening in this fast-changing industry. College Solutions has a diverse staff that is 100% focused on what is happening on college campuses for 20 years. We work as a team to find the college that fits the student.