On March 19th, the University of Chicago sent out an email. In it, they were clear about something that all of us have come to realize over the last week — academics are getting messy.
“We recognize,” they wrote, “that school transcripts will look different for many students this year…” In a proactive move that we find very encouraging, they added, “…and we will work with that!” “Academic progress as usual,” they continued, “is currently being disrupted for students across the globe. We encourage students to continue to engage with whatever method of learning your school is able to offer…”
They even allow for schools closing without offering online alternatives. “If a high school closes and does not provide any online or structured replacement educational opportunities,” they write, “rest assured that we will understand that as well (this is a good opportunity to read something new that piques your interest!).”
They go on to reassure students that missing out on the opportunity to visit does not mean it’s not worth applying. “You do not need to visit campus,” they write, “to be admitted to a selective school.”
This is precisely what we were hoping to hear from colleges, but we weren’t expecting to hear it so soon. Yes, most colleges have sent students home for the rest of the semester, but there’s a lot of time between now and when the next cycle of applications are due. A lot can happen in 8+ months, and we wouldn’t have been surprised if it took another few weeks, if not months, for colleges to figure out what to do about the situation we are in.
But decisions have to be made, and UChicago is at the front edge of a wave of announcements that are certain to reshape college admissions in 2020-2021.
For the next 3 years, every college is going to face the challenge of reviewing applications with high school transcripts that go wonky midway through 2020 year. They are prepared to deal with grading system changes, class disruptions, and alternative exams. They appear ready and willing to take these changes into account and to give extra weight to independent studies and the pursuit of passions outside of traditional academic structures. What they do not want to see, and what they will rarely look beyond, are plummeting grades. A new style of transcript is not an excuse for a decline in your grades if grades are still being awarded.
So you should not stress out about how your transcript will look weird. But yes, do continue to take schoolwork seriously. Increased flexibility around formatting is not the same as throwing the value of your GPA out of the window.
Over the next few weeks, we expect to see an increasing number of colleges come out with statements like the one the University of Chicago released. Schools do not want to see their applicant numbers go down, so schools that do not want to alienate potential applicants will have to relax some of their standards to accommodate. As the University of Chicago wrote, “…an application is always read in context.” This has never been more true or necessary than it is now.
If you are already frustrated with this process and could use the guidance of a team, send us an email. We help students navigate the college admissions process — twists, turns, changes, and all.