Don't Let COVID-19 Ruin Your College Application

Just because the world changes, doesn't mean that standards are getting easier. Just because major universities like the University of California system are temporarily making SAT scores optional doesn't mean that suddenly getting into a UC school will be easier. Instead, I would argue the opposite. Getting into top schools are going to be harder, particularly for students who are ill prepared for change. Top SAT scores will be even more impressive when many schools are moving to SAT-optional policies, at least temporarily.

In fact, COVID-19 is actually an important lesson in life. As students, you are mostly protected from change by your parents and schools. You don't normally have to worry about rent or food costs or work. However, whether you acknowledge change or challenges or not, they are coming for all of us. 

Let's face it, COVID-19 is but one variable that is changing the world. Other variables include advances in technology, culture shifts, international politics, climate change and more. Getting an Elite Education is more important than ever, and harder than ever. If you hope to get into a top school, then you have to show that not only can you handle change, but you have the potential to be a leader or bring about positive change.

What's great in these trying times is you have an opportunity. Because of online classes, learning can be arguably more efficient. At the very least, you save on commuting time. Use the time you are saving to knock out of requirements early, brainstorm creative new passion projects, and prepare to execute on your college admissions plan. Because you are stuck at home, now is the best time to knock out requirements so you can free up time later. When the world opens up, you don't want to be stuck at home preparing for the SAT or completing your summer reading. You want to be out there, working on something you love, whether it's sports or a film project, an academic paper or internship. 

What do you think sounds better? A student who was stuck at home like everyone else and just completes their online classes, or a student who was also able to also organize an international team to help get medical supplies to hospitals and emergency workers WHILE acing their online classes. What if the second student is able to do even more? 

And that's not all. Now that SAT scores may be optional at several schools, that just makes the other components of your college application that much more important: your grades, your interview, your recommendations, and most importantly, your college essays. Make sure you have a plan to maximize all these components in order to give yourself the best chance at admission. 

Use this time now to create a plan and prioritize your checklist to get ahead. By doing so, you could be significantly improving your college admissions chances and learning more about the world at the same time. 

If you are stuck at home and uncertain about what to do, contact us! We have over 15 years of experience helping students apply to the best universities, and have the track record to show for it. We've cut our teeth on some of the hardest admissions cases in the industry. As educators, we are always eager to use our life experiences and Elite Education to help top students work smarter, get better, and in so doing, improve their chances at getting into a top school and living the life of their dreams.