College Readiness Guide For Parents During the COVID-19 Crisis

By Deshon C. Smith, M.S.

Clinician at Strategies for Learning

This article is intended for parents, guardians and mentors of teenagers. The current Covid-19 Pandemic has impacted how colleges handle the admissions process for prospective students. Here are a few suggestions to use as a guide to support students during this time. Please always consult teachers, advisors and academic support specialists for more detailed information.

Use of Software for College Planning 

There are several websites which can help monitor a teenager’s college planning. Collegeboard is a reputable site for the major test preparation (SAT or ACT). Fastweb is a database that offers scholarship information for various categories to help students fund their college tuition. By creating an account for these websites both parents and students can track progress for planning, test dates and articles relevant to the college search. 

Test Preparation and Academic Improvement

It is possible to predict how likely your child will get into their desired institutions by using websites such as College Simply. Comparing your child’s current grades and test scores to the school’s entrance data helps your student establish realistic goals. Some teenagers decide to take the ACT and SAT concurrently. Sophomore year is the recommended time for a high school student to begin to gauge their test abilities. Since the coronavirus pandemic has caused massive disturbance with college preparation, some institutions have decided to exempt students from submitting scores such as the University of California system. Refer to the main website of your child’s school for more information during the planning process.

Seeking an Advisor and Student Involvement

Sending an email to a high school guidance counselor, academic coach, or college admissions advisor is a great place to start. Have your student come up with at least 3 questions they want to ask, so they can be actively involved in the process. Practicing the skills of prioritization and planning can also place a high schooler on the right track of choosing the ideal college fit. Some general actions students can do during high school years are joining a virtual community of like-minded students, adding or re-evaluating extracurricular activities (seeking safe options to stay active and involved in the community), and choosing healthy hobbies that promote learning and well-being. A coach or advisor may have ideas on ideal college prep extracurricular activities in the time of COVID-19.  Networking and building professional or academic relationships of all kinds are also important and possible to do virtually.

Virtual and In-Person College Visits

Many colleges are increasing virtual webinars and tours as a way to safely learn about the school and virtually visit without being on-site. Many campuses will have limited to no access, though some may be open with various safety precautions. For out-of-state colleges, your family can plan your travel ahead of time by viewing CDC’s recommendations here. If a college does offer in-person open house opportunities, review their guidelines to ensure a safe stay. Some additional general guidelines are: travel with fewer people, limit lodging reservations if possible, have access to personal drinking water and sanitizer, keep college visits to just a couple of hours, wear masks, and keep 6 feet from people outside the family. Consider visiting just to observe a college’s environment without taking an official tour to better practice social distancing.

Personal Statement 

Most universities will include essay prompts or a personal statement as part of the application process. Having a strong essay complements a student’s qualifications and allows the admissions committee to learn more about the student on a personal level. Students can consider writing about a challenge they withstood or a personal experience that shaped their life. If relevant, reworking an essay from an English course is a great way to develop a personal statement, since it has likely already received feedback from a teacher and gone through edits and revisions.  

Letters of Recommendation 

These are traditionally included and are sometimes required. If requesting a letter of recommendation, students can draft a more formal Letter of Intent for an adult who can speak on their behalf. Ideally, a suitable candidate would include an Athletic Coach, Part-time boss, Volunteer Supervisor or School Official. Encourage the student to make a verbal request in addition to a written request. This practice serves multiple purposes such as building their professionalism and confidence. It’s also always a good idea to thank the letter writers for taking the time to recommend the student. Teachers feel appreciated when this happens!

Financial Concerns

During senior year, students can apply for financial aid through the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov). If attending a traditional four-year college is a potential barrier, deciding to enroll in online classes or a community college may be a better alternative. 

SOURCES

1. Sorensen, T. (May 2020). How to Prep for SAT, ACT Amid the Coronavirus Outbreak.   Co. 2020, U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/articles/how-to-prep-for-sat-act-amid-the-coronavirus-outbreak

2. Unknown Author. College Planning Websites. Retrieved from https://rps205.com/Schools/HS/Auburn/PublishingImages/Pages/Counseling/College%20Planning%20Websites.pdf

3. The International Student.(2019). Colleges and Universities that Don’t Require an Admission Essay to Apply. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/ycupred7