Coronavirus upended, well, everything. High school seniors will probably never forget the unique transition to online learning and entirely online college admissions support, from struggling to see campus in person to wondering whether their chances of getting in just dropped or got higher.

Lucky for you, there’s data on this sort of stuff. And even luckier— I’ve sorted through it all so you don’t have to. Colleges are recognizing the extraordinary stress you’re under, and are doing nearly everything they can to make the 2020-2021 admissions cycle as rewarding and memorable as it could be. From higher admissions rates to making the SAT/ACT optional, you gotta give them credit.

All Colleges Except the Highly Selective Ones Are Admitting More Students [Forbes]

Test-required schools are becoming a thing of the past, and colleges are accepting more students in hopes of scoring more high-achieving students. Jerry Lucido, a researcher from the University of Southern California, explains that access to once-coveted extracurricular activities has been upended. He emphasizes, “The strength of the curriculum completed and the grades achieved, always the most important factors in admission, will play an ever stronger role.” So take a relaxing deep breath because your admissions packets are about to come rolling in. 

Because Highly Selective Colleges are Receiving More Applications and Becoming More Selective Than Ever [NY Times]

A college’s standardized test average has been one of the barriers stopping potential applicants from sending off their apps. Now that the SAT/ACT testing for many of these popular schools has been waived, people are submitting more applications to more reach schools. The Class of 2025 brought with them a record-breaking number of admissions, clocking in at 17% at the top schools in the country. Meanwhile, applications to state schools are plummeting and some colleges have even been forced to close because of lack of funding.

After Taking a 10% Hit in the Fall, Community College Enrollment is Expected to Rise [Forbes]

Charles Lloyd, president of White Mountains Community College in New Hampshire, described how the unpredictability of Covid-19 left many attending to other needs such as supplementing lost income or helping with childcare. But the vaccine rollout has left him hopeful that eventually the decline in admissions will stop. Here’s hoping: quality accessible education should never come with a risk.

SAT/ACT Optional is the New Normal... At Least for 3 Years [Forbes]

This is a HUGE step forward in making college admissions more equitable and less anxiety-inducing. With Harvard and other Ivies foregoing standardized testing, this means that your grades and personal statement are more important than ever. They’re looking for the human in you. Be prepared to deliver.

But if You Do Opt for the SAT, Say Goodbye to the Essay and Subject Tests [NY Times]

This is a tricky move for the College Board’s benefit— they’re losing lots of money over students no longer having to take the SAT/ACT because it’s not required anymore. By getting rid of the time and money it costs to distribute this test, they’re hoping that AP tests (which they also run) are going to become even more valuable to college admissions officers.

... And Say Hello to Gap Years Which Are at An All-Time High! [Forbes]

For some students, online schooling just doesn’t work. A gap year is a great way to spend your time learning out of the classroom. In August 2020, 40% of first-years nationwide were highly likely to defer enrollment. Zoom is definitely not the college dream sold to us in the movies. Strap on those Chacos and have a Covid-safe adventure.

Finally, More International Students Should Be Able to Come Back to Campus for Fall 2021 [Forbes]

Trump’s policies threatened the Visas of international students, and the rollback of these policies with the Biden administration keeps the door open for them (bring a mask guys! Covid is still pretty bad here). 

Another Positive Change: the UC System Broke Records With DIversity of their Applications [LA Times]

UCLA and UC Berkeley, two highly competitive colleges, reported a nearly 50% increase in Black first-year applicants and an over 30% increase in Latino first-year applicants for the Fall 2020 Admissions cycle. The overall UC system also saw an over 10% increase in Asian-American and Pacific Islander applicants, and a 5% increase in Indigenous applicants.

Colleges like Agnes Scott Are Rolling Out Guaranteed Merit-Based Grants of at Least 20K [Agnes Scott]

You know a school really cares about its applicants when it comes to grants like this. Everyone who submits an application by March 15th is guaranteed at least 20k in merit-aid and can qualify for more. Called the Agnes Scott Assurance Plan, they’re hoping that this will bridge the extra financial barriers many families are facing due to Covid-19.