COVID-19 & College Applications Part 1: Standardized Testing

I usually end my meetings with students by asking them to rate their college-related stress level on a scale of 1-10. This helps me check in with how my students are feeling and also lets me know where their pain points are. Over and over, I’m hearing the same thing this fall when I ask students what’s driving their stress: standardized testing.

Even though more than half of all colleges have adopted some sort of test-flexible or test-optional policy for students applying to enter in the fall of 2021, all of the uncertainty around testing is putting a lot of extra strain on students. 

Most of my students have one test score from the ACT given by North Carolina public schools in February. And for the last seven months, they’ve been strung along prepping for tests that may not happen, finding out about site cancellations the night before (or even the morning of) the test, and even driving multiple hours to find open testing locations. In the last few weeks, I’ve heard from a few of my students that they’ve finally been able to test, but they’re worried about their scores because they were distracted by their mask or regret not prepping more because this is the fourth test they’ve signed up for and didn’t think it would actually happen.

The situation around standardized testing isn’t ideal, and it certainly isn’t fair. But because this is our current reality, I thought it might be helpful to address some frequently asked “testing during COVID-19” questions.

What is test optional and what does it really mean?

Test optional means that a college has decided that standardized test scores are not required for a student to be admitted to their school. Students have the choice to send scores if they have them, but they will not be penalized if they choose not to include test scores as part of their application.

More than 1,000 colleges have adopted a test-optional policy for at least the upcoming year. Because this is an unusual change in the admission process, many students and families are wondering: Does test optional really means test optional?

NACAC, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, has been definitive with their answer: YES.

That said, make sure you fully understand a college’s test-optional policy before you apply. Some colleges like the University of Alabama and Elon University are test optional for admission purposes, but students will still be required to submit a test score before they enroll. Other colleges with test-optional admission policies may still use test scores for academic scholarships or honors colleges.

What is test flexible? 

There are fewer test-flexible colleges than test-optional ones. Test flexible means that the school has placed some conditions on whether or not a student will need to submit test scores. Some test-flexible colleges, like the University of South Carolina, require additional materials like AP scores or a graded paper from students are not submitting an SAT or ACT score. Other test-flexible colleges, like the University of Arkansas, have a test-optional policy but only for students meeting certain GPA requirements.

Because each test-flexible college may have different requirements to meet, it is important to understand each college’s test-flexible policy before you apply.

What is test blind?

If a college is test blind, they do not use test scores in the decision making process. Test optional and test blind are not the same thing. 

If a college is test optional, a student will not be penalized for not submitting scores, but another student with strong test scores can and should submit those scores to strengthen their overall application. A test-blind college is not considering test scores at all as part of a student’s application - even if they send in a perfect score.

Few colleges have adopted true test-blind policies this year - the major exception being the University of California system.

If I don't send my test scores, how will my application be evaluated?

It’s important to reiterate that students will not be penalized or disadvantaged if they do not submit test scores to a college with a test-optional policy. But without test scores as part of a student’s application, how will they be evaluated?

Colleges are going to be looking closer at other parts of the application. As always, a student’s grades and course rigor are going to be major factors. Letters of recommendation from teachers may also carry more weight as they provide a look at a student’s performance in the classroom. Essays may be read more closely.

Some colleges may add an additional piece to the application for students not submitting test scores. The University of Tennessee asks for an additional essay if they are applying without a test score. And after a student has submitted their application, Clemson asks students to "Please provide us with a short description of any additional factors you would like us to consider in place of standardized test scores."

How do I apply test optional?

If you want your application to be considered without a test score, do not self-report your test scores on the application or send an official score report to that college. 

Some colleges will ask in their application if you want your application to be read with or without a test score, so make sure to choose the correct option for you. However, not all colleges ask this as part of the application process, so it’s important to set up an online portal with each college after you’ve submitted your application to see if there are any additional requirements. Like I mentioned above, Clemson asks if a student wants to be apply without test scores after the application has been submitted.

What do I do if I want to apply test optional to some schools but send my test score to others?

On the Common App, it’s easy to self-report your test scores to different colleges and withhold it from others. In the testing section, simply click that you have no test scores to report if you are submitting a test-optional application. Any test scores you have entered won’t be deleted from your account and will reappear if you click “yes,” but they will not be sent with any application where “no” is clicked. Make sure you know which colleges you want to send test scores to and which ones you don’t, and double-check your answers in this question each time you are ready to submit.

If I apply test optional and am able to test later this fall, can I change my mind?

Maybe. The final decision is ultimately up to each individual college, so reach out to your admissions counselors to learn more about specific school policies. 

What if my scores are released or my test date is after a school’s deadline?

Again, it depends. 

It depends on the school’s policy and how far after the deadline we’re talking. Some colleges, like UNC Chapel Hill, give students a window of a few weeks after the application deadline for supplemental materials like test scores to be received. Other colleges want all materials received by the same date. 

Reach out to your admissions counselor before your deadline to learn if they will accept your late scores. In some cases, you might decide to apply by a later deadline. But if an early deadline is necessary because of a specific program or opportunity, it may be in your best interest to apply test optional. 

So… Should I apply test optional?

• Have you been able to test at all?

• Will you have the opportunity to test again in an environment where you feel safe?

• Do you feel like your test score reflects your academic abilities?

• Does your test score fall in the middle 50% of test scores for that college?

• Are you required to submit test scores for honors colleges, merit aid, or any other programs?

If you’re answering “no” to these questions and the colleges on your list have test-optional policies, don’t let standardized testing add to what is already an unusually stressful college admissions cycle. Instead, work hard on your essays - even the optional ones, assemble a team of recommenders who can speak to your strengths in and out of the classroom, and focus on strengthening the other parts of your application.

Demonstrated Interest During COVID-19

Some questions I’m hearing a lot lately are “What if I can’t visit any colleges this summer?” and “How will colleges know I’m interested if I can’t visit?”

They’re two slightly different questions.

If the concern is being able to visit and explore colleges to see if they’re a good fit and should be added to the college list, I’ve already got you covered. Over the past few weeks, I’ve written about ways to get to know a college from home and been interviewed on how to make the most of virtual visits.

If the concern is colleges knowing a student’s interest, the easy answer is that if colleges aren’t open for visits this summer, no one else can visit either. Students are all in the same boat right now, for better or for worse.

But that’s not very reassuring to hear for a student who’s fallen in love with a particular college and wants to make their feelings known. So if you can’t swing an in-person college visit due to a pandemic, a busy family schedule, or because it’s too far to travel, let’s talk about other ways to show demonstrated interest.

What is Demonstrated Interest?

Essentially, demonstrated interest is where a student has connected with a college in some meaningful way to show that they want to attend. The student is demonstrating interest in that school. Some colleges track demonstrated interest to gauge whether or not they think a student is likely to accept an offer of admission. One of the most common forms of demonstrated interest is the in-person visit.

Do all colleges track Demonstrated Interest?

No, not all colleges look at demonstrated interest during the admissions process. And some that may have tracked demonstrated interest in the past may be foregoing it for the 2020-2021 application cycle. But even if a college does not consider demonstrated interest, going through this list is a great way to explore a college fully and determine your interest.

Demonstrated Interest during COVID-19

Virtual Sessions

Many colleges are trying to replicate the traditional tour and information session as closely as they can in a digital format. Take advantage of these opportunities to connect virtually with schools. They may include:

• Virtual Tours

• Virtual Admissions Information Sessions

• Virtual Student Panels

• Virtual Interview Opportunities

Reach Out to College Representatives

Admissions representatives are a student’s resource to learn more about a college and the admissions process. They’re there to answer any questions students have, so don’t hesitate to reach out via email. Hopefully, they’ll be able to make their usual visits to high schools this fall, and students will have an opportunity to meet them in person.

Pro-Tip: While students should always feel comfortable reaching out to their admissions representatives with questions, don’t ask questions with easily found answers just to start a conversation. It doesn’t leave a good impression to show that you haven’t done basic research.

Don’t forget that colleges have other representatives outside of the admissions office. Your admissions representative may be able to connect with you with a professor in your intended area of study, a current student, or someone else who can speak to your interests.

Read Your Email & Connect on Social Media

Go ahead and sign up to receive emails from colleges. Joining a college’s mailing list will make sure students get up-to-date information straight from the source.

And yes, colleges do look to see who reads their emails!  

In addition, most colleges have an active presence on social media. Follow them! I’m seeing more and more admissions offices start their own Instagram accounts to showcase news and stories that will interest prospective students.

Write a Thoughtful Supplemental Essay

Whether a college officially tracks demonstrated interest or not, admissions offices take their supplemental essay prompts seriously. A prompt like “Why this college?” or “Why this major?” are opportunities for students to make their case for why they’re a good fit for a particular college or major. 

Students shouldn’t waste this opportunity by writing a generic or vague essay. Watch this space for a blog post later this summer on writing strong supplemental essays!