Ava Fonss, Section Editor
@afonsscourant
As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the College Board has decided not to administer the SAT on June 6, 2020, in an effort to keep students safe. As of right now, they have decided to administer a test every remaining month until the end of the calendar year, beginning on August 29. Currently, the June 13 test date for the ACT still remains scheduled as an in-person test.
Cancellation of these standardized tests is beginning to cause uncertainty regarding college admissions for the class of 2021. As a result, many schools are exploring alternative ways of evaluating students who are not able to submit standardized test scores this coming year.
School counselor Ann Vernon gave some insight into the new approach that some schools are taking. “Most colleges will have an SAT/ACT optional policy for the class of 2021,” she said. “The SAT will be available to take on additional dates in the fall, allowing students to take it once or twice.” She also emphasized the importance of checking the CollegeBoard website for more information.
Although many schools will be test-optional, that does not mean that they will be test-blind. “If a student’s ‘superscore’ is higher than the average SAT for that college, then it is advantageous to submit the scores,” said Ms. Vernon. “If the score is lower than the average, it is better not to submit if the college is score-optional.”
The adoption of test-optional policies this coming year places importance on other aspects of applications. “The transcript becomes more important if a student doesn’t submit test scores,” said Ms. Vernon. “Your involvement before this spring in a school activity like a club, a sport, journalism, TV, theater, music and the arts, etc. will continue to be key in rounding out the application. Demonstrating good character is always very important, and your teachers and counselors can write about your good character.”
Ms. Vernon also suggested ways that students can demonstrate good character during this time. “Essays and recommendations will be more important than ever, and colleges know your activities were canceled this spring,” she said. “Can you get involved in helping your community organizations and the elderly with their needs around the Covid-19 virus now or this summer? That sounds like a great idea, especially if you can reflect on your experience in your applications.”
Some schools are also looking at re-evaluating their deadlines, especially for early-action and early-decision applicants. “It is possible that some colleges will extend the November 1st early deadline to December 1st,” said Ms. Vernon. “Some colleges may also eliminate early deadlines for the fall and go only with regular decision.”
Although many on-campus tours have been canceled, there are still ways for students to explore and get to know the schools that they are interested in. “Colleges have developed excellent virtual admissions information sessions, webinars and student tours, which can be found through the ‘visiting’ and ‘virtual tours’ sections on Naviance,” said Ms. Vernon. “Students can also demonstrate interest by showing that they did their research on the college-specific questions on the Common App, and going to the college visits in the College and Career Center in the fall.”
