How to Safeguard College Plans for High School Juniors

COVID-19 creates a significant amount of uncertainty around fall college admissions, but high school juniors still have control over how they’ll prepare for September applications. Be prepared, and keep your options open.

1. Prep for Entrance Exams as Usual.

Many colleges have recently announced that they are adopting test-optional policies, but students should expect that a few colleges on their list will require testing. If you still need to take the ACT or SAT, make sure you sign up for the August SAT. The ACT anticipates it will administer the June and July ACT. You can keep track of ACT updates here and SAT updates here.

2. Research Colleges of Interest to You

Make a list of colleges, and start to virtually demonstrate an interest. Join college mailing lists, participate in their video conferences, and follow them on social media. Search on the college’s admission website for the admission representative for your area, and then send an email to them introducing yourself with well-thought-out questions about their school.

3. Stay the Course with Grades and Build Relationships

Some high schools have decided to adopt pass/fail grading policies this spring, but this is not a time to coast. Colleges may not be able to factor this semester’s grades into your GPA, so they will look elsewhere for evidence of your academic success. Teacher recommendations will be more critical than ever before in this fall’s college application cycle.

4. Create a Contingency Plan for the Summer.

If you lined up an internship, reach out to the organizer to see if there is a virtual alternative. If it was an academic course, find a comparable course online through your local community college, Coursera or EdX. If it was volunteering, see if you can manage a non-profit’s social media or write uplifting letters to the elderly.

5. Build a Network of Support.

This year’s admissions process will be more unpredictable than usual. Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that many current seniors are choosing to defer their admissions offer this year. Consequently, there may be fewer seats for current juniors in the fall of 2021, making some universities even more selective than in past years. Reach out to an admissions expert who can keep you up to date and advise on the best way to stay informed and prepared for the unexpected.

If you want to know more about preparing for college in 2020, schedule a free 30 minute college admission consultation with Natasha de Sherbinin at A-List Education.

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