Pandemic Admissions: Has COVID-19 Made Colleges More Accessible?

I've heard mixed opinions on whether the pandemic has made getting into college easier or harder. Does anyone have insights or has anyone noticed trends that could indicate how the admissions landscape has been affected?

Hello! The pandemic's impact on college admissions has certainly been notable, and there have been quite a few shifts that might impact accessibility in various ways. To begin with, many colleges have moved to test-optional policies, which means students are not required to submit standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT.

This change has encouraged more students to apply to colleges they previously thought were out of their reach. However, it's important to remember that without test scores, colleges might place a higher weight on other aspects of the application, such as high school GPA, essays, and extracurricular achievements.

Another trend is that some colleges experienced a temporary decrease in international student applications due to travel restrictions and uncertainties around visa processes. This fluctuation might have opened up more spots for domestic students in the short-term. However, as conditions stabilize, the international student application numbers are returning to pre-pandemic levels.

In terms of accessibility, it's also worth noting that the pandemic has prompted many schools to enhance their virtual outreach, offering online tours and information sessions to prospective students who might not have had the resources to visit in person. This helps in leveling the playing field for applicants from various socioeconomic backgrounds. So, the changes are certainly mixed and vary widely among institutions.