By: Sarah Brunett, Features Editor
Many businesses, organizations, and schools are temporarily shutting down as a result of the increasing number of covid-19 cases within the United States. It has become unsafe to hold events that allow many people within a confined space because it will break social distancing laws recently put into place.
Due to all of the school closures, CollegeBoard has had to cancel all in-person SAT & ACT testing dates until August. CollegeBoard has released a statement in regards to their SAT cancellations, and when it might be safe to return to normal testing measures; “If it’s safe from a public health standpoint, we’ll provide weekend SAT & ACT administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August.” But that’s only if it is going to be safe in August, which is unknown at this time. This means that many juniors are going to be very stressed when applying to college this fall, because some students will have to spend more time trying to receive a sufficient SAT or ACT score before the November 1st early action deadline rather than writing college essays or filling out scholarship applications. In attempts to relieve some of the stress during this unprecedented situation, many colleges are making the SAT optional for the class of 2021. Many notable colleges such as Cornell, Boston University, Northeastern, Tufts, Tulane, TCU, the University of California system, and Davidson College have made the SAT & ACT optional during admissions this fall.
Current high school students have very mixed opinions about the situation. In general, the class of 2021 is quite relieved, but many have concerns as well. Ella Martin, a junior at Broadneck High School in Annapolis, MD, is thrilled that the SAT/ACT is slowly becoming optional at many colleges. She says that “[she] stressed so much for that test” because she considers herself “not a good test taker, so [she] really thought that [she] wasn’t going to get into any good colleges.” Jennifer Chiang, a junior at Atholton High School, says “I think it’s nice, but at the same time, it makes the application process a lot more competitive,” which is definitely true. Eliminating the SAT/ACT will affect the college admissions process by allowing the admissions officers (at the colleges you apply to without a standardized test score) to be more selective about your essay, GPA, extracurriculars, and/or class rank (if your school provides it). On the other hand, the class of 2020 seems to be upset about the new change. “It’s unfair,” says Ethan Wettstein, a senior at River Hill High School. Many seniors seem to think it’s unfair that they were denied at their dream colleges, most likely because of test scores, and now it won’t even matter for the class of 2021. Meanwhile, the class of 2022 is optimistic that this unfortunate situation will forever change the importance of standardized testing. Jessie Rothrock, a sophomore at Centennial High School, wonders “if the SAT and other forms of testing will ever be used the same in the future.”
Regardless of whether or not you have taken the SAT/ACT yet, do not stress about it. Many colleges are adapting to the situation and realizing there are many more important things to consider when accepting a student to their university. Don’t stress about things you cannot control, and make sure that your health and safety is your number one priority right now. Stay Safe.