Recap: Virtual Event Connects Counselors and Colleges to Help Students through the Pandemic

May 7, 2020

With so much uncertainty in the world, students and families are understandably concerned about making college plans. Helping them through what was already an overwhelming experience before a global pandemic changed long-held timelines and processes are counselors and community-based organizations. These key student supporters need timely and reliable information to provide good guidance. 

For that reason, the Coalition for College hosted an event on May 6 designed to connect college counselors with admissions officers at a range of schools to answer their most pressing questions.

The 75-minute conversation was split into two topics of discussion: “COVID-19 and the Incoming College Class,” with The Ohio State University, Tufts University, and the University of Chicago, and “Helping High School Students Prepare for College During the Pandemic,” with Johns Hopkins University, Middlebury College, and Rutgers University.

“Good information is what’s needed to help settle fears and anxieties, and we know counselors and community-based organizations are critical partners in delivering that information to students and families,” says Stacey Kostell, CEO of the Coalition for College. “The strength of the Coalition is our member schools, and whenever we can create a space where college and universities can collaborate on behalf of students, that’s what we will do.”

COVID-19 and the Class of 2024

The first half of the program focused on the questions facing the incoming college class, pertaining to financial aid and the pandemic, the likelihood of many students choosing to defer admission for a year, advice for athletes whose seasons may be impacted, and what measures schools are taking to replace traditional orientation programs.

Mark Cortez, from The Ohio State University, took the first question: “The May 1 deadline has passed. What should students do who may still be interested in confirming their enrollment?”

He also spoke to questions about what families should do if their financial situation has changed since from what’s represented on the FAFSA.

Peter Wilson, from the University of Chicago, addressed a question about rumors more schools would be going to the waitlist this year. While each school’s practices will be different, Wilson shared this important advice: “If you have students interested in a waitlist, my best advice would be to follow the instructions a school gives you. For many of our institutions, you do have to reply to your place on the waitlist; this is the most important thing to do,” adding that, for some institutions, a note from a college counselor or advisor confirming the student’s interest in the school as their top choice can be helpful.

Susan Ardizzoni, from Tufts University, answered a question about whether a trend is emerging that many students in the incoming class will take a gap year. While Ardizzoni acknowledged that the number of questions from parents about the possibility of deferring for a year have increased a bit, at Tufts, the numbers of those planning a gap year are on target with past trends. She also shared her advice that families need to think carefully about the benefits of delaying school. While some families may need to make that choice, she encourages students to consider whether a year at home and not in school will be a valuable use of their time.

Rather than approaching a first year in college that may look very different from traditional student life, she offers this alternative way of thinking about being in college at this historical moment:

She also acknowledges rumors that a trend in gap years may affect future classes’ admissions cycles, and has this advice to share:

For student athletes faced with a question mark on fall sports and beyond, both Tufts and The Ohio State University counsel students to stay in close conversation with their coaches and recruiting staff, who will have the most up-to-date information about impacts on their season and scholarships.

Peter Wilson spoke about how the University of Chicago’s orientation program is adjusting to help students with the transition to college. This year, they’ll continue their peer mentor program, but do so virtually via group chats and Zoom sessions that are spread out over the whole summer rather than in person and concentrated in a shorter time span.  

But what about students who may struggle with good internet connectivity at home? Mark Cortez talks about efforts at The Ohio State University to meet all students needs’ at this time:

After each school confirmed they have no current plans to adjust how they award AP or IB credit, they closed with some parting advice, including this from Peter Wilson:

“If there are things that students are worried about, typically we’ve been thinking about it and have some kind of answer. We’re doing our best to slow down their anxiety and stress, and we encourage students to speak up and ask about their concerns because it’s likely the answer is out there to help them.”

Helping High School Students Prepare

The second session focused on students still in high school who are looking ahead to how the pandemic may affect their college application. 

The first question explored how admissions officers will look at students who may now have pass/fail grades in courses that are important for college preparation. Each school emphasized that no student will be penalized for circumstances outside of their control. 

Calvin Wise, from Johns Hopkins, went on to discuss how academic character is still something that will be important to their admissions evaluation process:

This session also took on the question about a trend in gap years and how that may affect admissions cycles in the future. Nicole Curvin shared Middlebury’s process around gap years, what their numbers are showing about whether this is an emerging trend, and advice for students considering a gap year:

The next question probed how the pandemic will affect college and universities’ work recruiting under-resourced students. Calvin Wise spoke about how this work is continuing at Johns Hopkins even while in-person and on-campus opportunities are limited:

Following on the topic of supporting students who rely on financial aid to attend college, Wise also spoke to what changes he expects in financial aid packages due to the downturn in the economy:

In an economic downturn, there may be opportunity for adult learners to return to school to expand their opportunities in the future. Kate Brittain from Rutgers University spoke about how colleges and universities are meeting this need:

For students who are in the midst of their college search, but unable to attend college fairs in person or go on campus visits, what’s the best way to learn about schools? Calvin Wise shares his advice on conducting a college search virtually:

Understandably, living through COVID-19 may be a go-to topic for many college essays in the coming years. Nicole Curvin, from Middlebury College, and Kate Brittain, from Rutgers University, share their advice for students considering writing about this time:

Finally, Nicole Curvin closed with the advice to counselors to stay connected at this time. “We’re still resources, we’re still here, and we’re happy to support” counselors and community-based organizations as they work with students.

Looking for more admissions advice to help advise students during the pandemic? Read the recap and watch videos from our April 2020 virtual college.