Latest College Prep News & Tips

Emory University published a story about the differences in admission they have had to implement due to COVID-19. The changes in their admissions process were certainly put to the test – Emory ended up receiving a record number of undergraduate applications this year, despite some predictions that college applications would decrease as students took extra time to navigate the “new normal”. As this year’s Juniors look to their fall applications, they will likely find that many of the pressures and changes are still in effect. In this blog, I wanted to walk through some of those differences and how they might affect you:

• Pass/Fail Grades – taking classes pass/fail can affect your GPA. It’s important to keep schools apprised of any dramatic changes to your academic transcript – whether that be a year of pass/fail grades or a switch to homeschooling, private school, etc. If something like this affects your transcript, make sure it is noted in your application!

• Virtual Learning – virtual or hybrid learning may have had an impact on your performance in school. If the grades you got during virtual or hybrid learning affected your GPA, it’s again important that schools know this. Your guidance counselor may be able to include it in their letter of recommendation, or you can use the additional information sections of the application to give schools an explanation for a less than stellar year.

• Extracurricular activities, job changes: the pandemic limited the extracurricular activities of many students. If you didn’t get a chance to play sports in person or have the lead role in the play, what did you do with your time? Make sure to highlight those things to help you stand above the rest – especially anything where you showed strong leadership qualities. If you haven’t done much, don’t worry – there’s still time! If your favorite club has languished in the virtual environment, make an effort to put something together before the end of the year. And use your summer wisely!

• Letters of recommendation: The virtual learning environment has made it more difficult for some students to get to know their teachers well. Remember that teacher recommendations typically come from junior year teachers. Make an effort to reach out to your teachers now and create connections. If they offer virtual office hours, use them!

The name of the 2021 admissions cycle was “adaptation” – for both students and admissions counselors alike. Looking forward to the fall application cycle, think about how the adaptations you’ve needed to make have made you a better candidate and better prepared you for college.