COVID-19 will cause unfair disparity in college apps nationwide

By Ava Bourdeau, Staff Writer

Even before the world tilted on its axis, it was common for students to have panic attacks and breakdowns due to the weighty task of selling themselves through the Common App. Now, with COVID-19 cases on the rise nationwide, especially in LA County, teenagers across the country are experiencing a collective sense of shock as the world changes around them. The college admissions process has certainly not been spared from this, and the negative impacts caused by the pandemic will have huge implications on students applying to school. 

Arguably the most impactful difference in this process is the lack of standardized test scores. These tests are extraordinarily important to the college admissions process, and their erasure is a huge blow to students and admissions officers alike. Controversy over whether or not such numbers are a real measure of success and merit is not a new issue. Nevertheless, many students have relied on these tests to show their academic prowess beyond grades. However, this year standardized tests are not required of those applying to college, as officials have stated that holding such exams would be unfair to students in these unprecedented times. While this may seem like a positive thing on paper, it’s concerning to many students.

“It honestly worries me that colleges may not look at our SAT scores. I’m afraid essays will be worth more, which isn’t something I’m as confident in,” Sara Akiba (’22) said. 

The class of 2022 has been told to prepare for standardized tests, although the first round of the SATs have already been canceled. 

For seniors, however, standardized tests have been completely wiped from their applications. The UC system announced in May that they will not require SAT or ACT scores to be submitted by incoming freshmen until fall of 2024. They will instead be creating a new test which aligns more with their requirements. The scores for these tests will however not be required of this year’s applicants. Most colleges around the country are completely waiving their standardized test requirement, meaning that even students who took them prior to lockdown do not have to submit their scores. 

Art by Ella Rose

As a result of the changes caused by this eventful year, admission boards from colleges across the country will have a more difficult task than ever when reviewing this year’s applications. With some schools adopting a pass/fail grading system, and other areas being less strict on banning extracurricular activities, everyone will be missing different pieces of their application. Additionally, essays will have a far greater weight than ever before, as well as previous transcript information. This will make it extraordinarily difficult for students to stand out, as they are now more than ever at the mercy of the admission board’s intuition. 

Because of all of these changes, many students are likely stressed due to the sheer emphasis which has been placed on these applications since they were freshmen. 

“I feel nervous, but honestly I’ve realized over time that I just need to give it my all,” Omo Akinde (’21) said. 

Akinde went on to explain that he’s grateful for the hard work he put in before the pandemic, having been involved in several music ensembles as well as earning good grades. Indeed, by first semester senior year, it is advisable that students already have a colorful application with decent numbers. For juniors and sophomores, however, the absence of extracurriculars due to social distancing requirements is very worrisome.

“I don’t trust schools to compare us fairly. Some areas are less strict about activities because they have fewer cases, and those kids will have better applications,” Akiba said.  

In a seemingly endless wave of turmoil and upheaval, 2020 has been a year of questions. From protests to a pandemic, natural disasters to economic crisis, the world is changing too quickly for us to comprehend. This is especially difficult for today’s youth, whose coming-of-age has been confined to sitting alone in their bedrooms questioning when life will unpause. Ultimately, the negative impacts COVID-19 has had on the college admissions process outweigh the arguable plus of the erasure of standardized tests. Kids around the country will be sending in fractured applications, from missing tests to watered-down activities. In these circumstances, it will be far more difficult for colleges to truly understand who fits within their respective schools, and students will have a much harder time trying to stand out.

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