By: Sarah Burnett, Co-Editor-in-Chief
As the November 1st Early Action deadline is approaching, the class of 2021 is buckling down and finishing up some of their college applications during a global pandemic. The future, especially for high school seniors, is quite uncertain:- whether or not there will be a vaccine soon, when or if schools will reopen, and tough decisions of whether or not it’s worth it to enroll in college and pay full tuition for online courses.
The college application process is much more difficult than it was in previous years, but many colleges and universities are trying to help students by pushing back deadlines and changing their testing policies. Even though some states are beginning to allow students to take the SAT or ACT, it comes along with the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. Last weekend at Reservoir high school, a student tested positive for the virus immediately following the exam. However, everyone was reassured by HCPSS that no one else should have contracted the virus because all of the students followed the social distancing guidelines and wore facial coverings. Hundreds of colleges have decided to become SAT and ACT optional because some seniors won’t be able to take either of the tests before the Early Decision or Early Action deadline. Many notable Maryland (in-state tuition) schools have gone test optional for the class of 2021; including, but not limited to, the University of Maryland, UMBC, Towson University, and Salisbury University. In addition to the new test optional policies, many universities are extending their Early Action deadline and adding a “How has Covid-19 impacted you/your family?” question to help a student’s chance of admission. Penn State is one of many colleges that extended their Early Action deadline, moving it back two weeks to November 15th.
In terms of starting college, many students are deciding to change their original plans. Many students from the class of 2020 decided to defer their enrollment to 2021 to get the most out of their college experience and education. River Hill class of 2020 graduate Saniya Vashist was accepted into Stanford, but she decided to defer her enrollment to join the class of 2025. Other students are deciding to enroll in community college for the time being, because they do not want to be paying out-of-state tuition for sitting in their bedrooms. River Hill class of 2020 graduate Ethan Wettstein was accepted into his dream school, Towson University, but he realized it wouldn’t be practical to be spending so much money on tuition. Ethan decided to start off his college education path a little differently, by enrolling himself in HCC for the first semester. If there is not a Covid-19 vaccine released by the time second semester rolls around, he will enroll in more HCC classes for the year, and some other students from the class of 2021 may defer their enrollment.
Overall, the global pandemic has made applying to college much more difficult than it has been in the past. However, many colleges and universities are willing to adapt by pushing back their deadlines, students are deciding to take gap years, or enroll in community college for a year. We all just have to try and make the best out of this unfortunate situation.