Preparing for a Chaotic Year in College Admissions

For recruiting and judging students, colleges face the reality that they may not be able to visit high schools or rely on their rubrics.

But in the last week, a new issue has emerged for colleges: high schools. Whether it's the announcement of online learning or a hybrid model, these decisions have a profound consequence on college admissions.

Universities typically send admissions reps to visit upwards of 700 high schools each fall. With the no-travelplatform, colleges are now scrambling to develop virtual programs--easier said than done.

There is also the question of how to evaluate students who will be having an anything-but-normal semester -- for the second semester in a row.

Holistic admissions review means reviewing candidates in context. Admissions committees are forced to put traditional metrics to the side.

"Colleges are generally aware of the digital divide between socioeconomic groups" and "will need to work closely with their partners in K-12 education to understand the contours of academics, grading and access during this admission cycle."

-NACAC

"I think the word that comes to mind about college admissions this fall is uncertainty. The combination of high schools going virtual, pass/fail grades again being a possibility, challenges in taking SAT or ACT tests, the inability to visit and recruit at high schools or fairs, and not being able to host visits of prospective students makes traditional recruiting plans completely obsolete."

-AACRAO