The pandemic shut down any non-virtual college activities, visits, and information sessions. Students seeking information about colleges were unable to visit campuses in person. Numerous seniors applying to colleges are cramming in work they would’ve done during the spring and summer into the fall. They are visiting colleges they would’ve ideally visited long ago, and taking the SAT or ACT now rather than in the spring or summer.

 However, universities recognize students’ inability to test. According to FairTest, Over 1,600 colleges will not require test scores for fall applicants. 

Still, many decide to test. Peter Ryan ‘21 recently took two SATs in the span of four days: during the SAT school day, and in the same week at Temple University. Peter says, “I was signed up for two SATs last spring and an SAT in June. Those were cancelled for COVID.” He plans on submitting the scores to colleges. “I still think the scores will make a big impact, though less than a normal year.” Although some schools are test-optional, Peter still wants to send in scores to strengthen his application. 

Chris Crisden ‘22 plans on taking the ACT this winter or next spring and submitting his score to colleges when he is a senior. Although he has been unable to visit colleges in person, he believes he has received sufficient information about schools. “There’s been a bunch of emails from Tracy and Kristen, and they’ve been very thorough with what you’re supposed to do [to apply],” says Chris. 

FSS College Counselor Kristen Miller believes that colleges understand how high schoolers have been affected by the pandemic: “If the school is test-optional, they will look at everything in front of them. If a student has an application where the test scores show something they wouldn’t know in the application, let’s say they tend to be a B student but got a 1580 on the SAT, it can definitely help their application. But if you compare two students that are very similar, and the test scores correspond with the application, the students are going to be read similarly.” 

In her opinion, colleges will consider the test scores if they are a part of the students’ application, but students with test scores will not be viewed as more capable. “Colleges are just going to go by what’s in the file, the transcript, the recommendations, the essays.” 

“I think [colleges are] going to be compassionate and generous in the admissions cycle,” states Kristen. Testing may still be a good choice for strong testers. Kristen, as well as many college admissions officers, expressed that those who have not had a chance or do not test well will be considered equally to those with test scores.