College Resources You Need Now

It’s March of 2020. We are in the middle of a global pandemic. Colleges have ordered students to move out of dorms, with semesters continuing online post-Spring Break. ACT and SAT tests have been postponed or cancelled. AP tests are converting to online. It is a crazy time!

As a parent of a current college student, high school Senior planning for a college selection, high school Junior in the heat of the college search process or younger student trying to prepare for the college search, you are looking for answers. What does all this mean for college?

I have compiled some of the best resources I have online in the past week, categorized by who will benefit most from them:

College Resources for Current College Students

• Your College’s Plans – First off, check your college’s website for their plans and information around COVID-19. Most colleges now have a banner across the top of their website with a link to COVID-19 information.
• Student Loans – For those with Federal Student Loans, here’s a link to the page with information around suspension of payments and zero interest: Federal Student Aid and Coronavirus Info
• Student Athletes – Here is the NCAA page related to COVID-19 impacts to college sports and decisions around waivers: NCAA COVID-19 Info
• Online Learning – Is your student new to online learning? Here are a couple links with tips for online college success: 10 Ways to Prepare for Your First Online Course, Adjusting to Online College.

College Prep Resources for High School Seniors

• AP Exam Details, Schedules and Online Prep -The 2019-2020 AP will be administered online and CollegeBoard is offering free FREE live online review courses: AP Updates for Schools Impacted by Coronavirus
• More AP Exam Prep – Some of the K-12 online learning resources linked below under College Prep Resources for High School Juniors and Younger apply to AP exam prep.
• College Selection Timing – Wondering if you still need to make a college selection by May 1 or if you can make that final visit? Here’s the listing of colleges that are extending their deadlines for 2020, open for visits, hosting admission events, etc: NACAC Coronavirus Impact College Listing
• At-A-Glance Listing of Colleges That Have Changed Their Deposit Dates – This is a Google doc that is updated daily: Colleges That Have Changed Deposit Deadline to June 1, 2020 or Later
• College Selection Without a Final Visit – Here’s a good article with tips on choosing a college right now: The COVID College Choice: How To Pick A College During A Global Pandemic

College Prep Resources for High School Juniors and Younger

• Online Learning Resources – Here’s a great list of online learning resources for students of all ages: K-12 online learning resources from Pinnacle Prep
• AP Tests – For Juniors and younger taking AP classes this year, see the AP link above under College Prep Resources for High School Seniors
• April 2020 ACT Test Rescheduling – April 2020 National Exam COVID-19
• SAT Test Rescheduling – The March and May SAT tests are cancelled with no reschedule. Check here to find out the latest information on when your student can take the SAT: SAT Coronavirus Updates
• Colleges Going Test Optional for 2021 Admissions – Many more colleges have announced plans to go test-optional for the 2021 admission season that starts this Fall in light of the ACT/SAT scheduling issues. Here is a link to the link of test-optional colleges as of summer 2019: Test Optional Colleges. Hopefully this list will be updated soon as colleges change their policy. Otherwise, check the Admissions section of the college’s website to see if they have made changes to their policy.
• Virtual Admissions Events – Many colleges have started offering virtual admissions events instead of on-campus events. Check the websites for colleges your student is interested in to see if they are offering this.
• Virtual Campus Tours – Many colleges were already offering these through their websites and even more are making these available now. Check the websites for colleges your student is interested in.
• Building a College List – Now is a great time to use our Upside Down College Search process to search for colleges a better way, putting the financial side first. Check out our Upside Down College Search page and sign up for our next free 1-hour online training.

As more resources become available over the coming weeks, I will post them in the Upside Down College Search Facebook group. Join Today to get all the latest info!