College & Covid
Photos by Cora Kuhlenbeck
Aaaand we're back. It's the beginning of a new school year, and although that may look different for everyone, one thing is for sure- school is in session. Despite the ongoing pandemic, seniors here at Hamilton High are still going through the college application process; while it may seem daring and overwhelming, it is still providing seniors with a sense of normalcy during these uncertain times.
The main thing seniors are struggling with this year is college tours. Because of Covid, universities have declined official tours and have even closed public access to campuses. This has taken a toll on the graduating class, as tours are often the deciding factor in college decisions. However, this hasn’t discouraged the seniors in finding other ways to explore their future.
In spite of the pandemic, virtual tours have become increasingly popular. These are online tours that allow students to engage in a complete 360° view of the campus of which is narrated by a college official, or even a college student. This exciting technology provides insight to class education, different amenities offered, and even what campus life is like.
Mikayla Kauffmann, a senior at Hamilton High School, states, “It was really helpful and showed me what UW-Madison has to offer academically and socially.”
Faith Frei, also a senior at Hamilton, states, “The virtual tour was helpful because I wasn’t able to go on an official tour, but it lacked… the excitement of physically being there.” While it may not be an actual tour, it is still a trying effort to ignite that “spark” in seniors, in which they realize they are meant for a certain school.
The following surveys were taken by 14 seniors at Hamilton, detailing their thoughts on virtual tours:
As for actual applying, seniors have been using sites such as the UW System and the Common App. Both of the sites allow for students to virtually submit their application to the schools of their choice. Having come a long way from simply mailing a letter of application, these sites are easing the process for many of Hamilton’s seniors this year.
Grace Halcomb, a senior at Hamilton, says, “The Common App has been a huge stress reliever since I have been able to keep all my college applications organized in one system.”
Drew Larson, also a senior, agrees with Halcomb in that he “liked using the Common App because it was easy and applicable for every college.” However, Larson did state it “was very time consuming.”
While fewer people used the UW System because it doesn’t allow for applicants to apply outside of Wisconsin, it still gained positive reviews from Hamilton’s seniors. Frei, on her application to UW Milwaukee, states, “The UW System was very beneficial when it came to applying to my top choice in state.”
Although the seniors gave positive feedback on the application process today, many of them still stated they would prefer the process as what it was a year ago. The students noted that because of Covid, the most “fun” part of applying to college, the tours, has been taken away from them. This has definitely put a strain on the seniors’ college search, and ultimately their college decision.
“It’s concerning to me that I might decide on a school that ends up not being what I envisioned for my future,” states Larson.
Colleges have also been directly impacted by Covid-19, causing them to change many aspects of their admission process. As mentioned before, many campuses have transitioned to an almost completely virtual community.
The University of Madison states that it will be “offer[ing] a full virtual suite of events throughout the summer and fall.” The University, along with others in the state, has also extended application deadlines for students. “We understand that many extenuating factors may have played a role in students being able to meet our application...deadline. As a result, we are extending the deadline...for you to submit the application and required materials to complete your application.”
Universities across the nation are following the same pattern as UW Madison and shifting gears to accommodate the effects of Covid. Almost, if not all, have dropped their requirements for the SAT and/or ACT.
Even Ivy League Universities, such as Harvard, have announced their decision to “...allow students to apply for admission...without requiring standardized test scores.”
In an interview between The Charger Press and The University of Michigan Ann Arbor student admissions, they told the Press, “Everything is online and we have become completely dependent on Zoom.” The University of Michigan has also implemented various policies to keep students and faculty as distanced as possible. For instance, they have designated outside study tents where “No more than two students can sit at a table at a time.” Michigan also stated that the virus has impacted student life as well. Not only are masks mandated in Ann Arbor, but “Students can receive a $1000 fine for getting caught hosting or attending parties and gatherings not approved by the school.”
While no one thought that the world would be walking around with masks on their face and hand sanitizer in their pockets, both colleges and students are trying to make the best of it. And though virtual tours aren’t what many seniors envisioned for college visits, the class of 2021 is still making the most of this process in hopes of securing a brighter future.
