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I'm expecting my admission from a particular college in the US for the fall semester, is the Virus going to affect my admission decision?

I'm a student from Nigeria who is wondering how #COVID-19 will effect me #college #university #college-admissions #college-advice #college-selection #college-bound

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Gabriel’s Answer

Greetings, Princess A.! To quote the late George Harrison..."All Things Must Pass". I know this is an emotional setback at a time you should be excited to move forward in life. I completely agree with Miss Amanda's advice. it shouldn't, and likely won't, affect your admission decision. However, due to precautions many are working from home or figuring out how to do so.

Many universities are enrollment-based, and tuition-driven. If you are international - the school you are applying to doesn't have to wait for reimbursement from the state or feds. So...breathe deep. Many universities are dealing with the current situation so other business may fall through the cracks. So just send a friendly e-mail, or make a phone-call. At the end of the day, the panic will be over...and life will go on. I'm sorry your experience at this important time has been marred...but please...if you start school...don't stop. I'm not an optimist by nature, but I truly believe things are going to work out...just might take a couple weeks. It's going to be okay.

Major in accounting...lol.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, I really appreciate your answer, it made me feel better. princess
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m’s Answer

I don't believe the virus would affect the colleges overall decision. However, it could change the course on HOW classes are conducted, as well as slow down the admissions process. I would contact the Admission Office of the college you are currently looking at, letting them know that you submitted admission paperwork and see what they're currently doing for students who are waiting to be admitted. Best of luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you Mandy, I'm really grateful for your help!. princess
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Jon’s Answer

Ideally, the virus should not affect your decision. Hopefully you did your due diligence and researched and found a college or university that meets your long-term goals. Assume you thought about potential majors, size (small, large, medicum, etc), diversity, academic prowess (i.e. aiming for the best school you can), region (i.e. where do you want to live after school), city/rural/etc., and dozens of other influencing factors. My guess is you did this already and found your dream school (or schools), got accepted into one or more, and then picked the one that aligned the best with your long-term goals.

Now that being said, the virus is definitely exposing how well some schools are set up to succeed (or fail) in certain types of decisions-making and high stress events. Some schools are demonstrating that sports drive much of their decision making (for better or worse). Some schools have gone back and forth on their approach to virtual classrooms, quarantine & testing policies, etc. Some schools (it has been said) are demonstrating their support for political party affiliation or maybe other similar regional influencers. Some schools are cutting sports and other activities, and demonstrating they may be at risk of staying financially viable throughput this pandemic, depending on how it lasts.

And so it is reasonable to ask do I consider all of these influences as I select my school. Minus the last example (i.e. you should definitely investigate to ensure your institution will remain financially viable), I am not sure this pandemic should directly influence your choice of school. Schools are first and foremost highly focused on teaching and research, therefore inherently not setup to run in the same way say a Fortune 500 company might be. And that's ok right? You want them to keep education prioritized, even though through the worst of circumstances. Hopefully this pandemic will end or significantly lessen in the next ~12 months. If that comes true, maybe just be ready to stay flexible, but still go with what your heart told you when you first dreamed about and selected your school. Educate yourself as much as you can about some of the items I referenced, but trust your heart, and I bet you'll be just fine.
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Elana’s Answer

I thnk that's impossible to know right now. The situation is changing so much. How will it look this fall? I'm not a scientist or public health professional, but I feel confident saying we will not be 100% back to "normal" by then.

Once you know where you plan to attend, I recommend calling or emailing the Admissions Office. Ask if they are issuing automatic deferrals to students who plan to attend.

In terms of leaving a country, I would say the American Embassy where you are, CDC and TSA travel advisories.
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Rachel’s Answer

The virus should not affect your admission, but it may affect whether you attend classes online or in person. Some colleges have already declared that the fall semester will be online.
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Annie’s Answer

As some one who has seen the virus affect how college works, I can tell you that it could affect the amount of time between when you apply and when you get your acceptance. Since I go to an HBCU, they do have a reputation of being slow when it comes to certain things like all their services together, but in the end it all depends on your college and how fast their process of giving out acceptance decisions to people who applied.
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Sharon’s Answer

I assume you are asking about timing and when you will receive a reply.

Contact the Admissions Office to ask if you should expect a delay. Every institution is different. They probably are working from home. Good luck!

Sharon recommends the following next steps:

Contact the Admissions Office for an update
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EmilyAnn’s Answer

The virus should not affect your admissions decision. Colleges will not base their opinion of you on your performance/accomplishments during the pandemic. Many are already waiving standardized test requirements as well as offering virtual resources! As a college student, I know that schools recognize how difficult it is to learn virtually and most have offered pass/fail grading options. It won't count against you as much if your grades were lower last semester or you struggled working virtually - it's been hard for students and teachers alike so schools will be very understanding. I hope you ended your year well and wish you the best of luck!
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Richard’s Answer

I have 3 sons in college. I feel confident that classes will start on schedule next fall, but I am afraid that they will still be online until a vaccine can be widely distributed.
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Yewande’s Answer

Hi Princess, I definitely understand your concern about your college admission. I am a Nigerian who moved to the U.S for college and I remember how the wait to find out if I got into the school of my choice killed me. With that being said, I echo everyone’s comments here, as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic universities have had to adapt and adjust. Here are a few things to note:
1. Application deadline extensions: I am reading that that the National Association of College Admission Counseling is encouraging colleges and universities to extend their application deadlines. The extension of application deadline may also impact how quickly colleges and universities are reaching out with admission letters
2. College campuses are closed: most colleges have closed their campus has they have moved spring and summer semesters to online only! I have a friend who is a professor and she teaches all her classes online. If you try calling the schools land line there’s a chance you may not be able to get a hold of since every one is working from home so emailing the school for update would be the best way to contact them
3. I will suggest constantly checking your email, the college website as well as the application portal. I would also suggest following the social media pages of the colleges as they would most likely have updates on there as well.

I hope this helps and best wishes with everything!

Yewande recommends the following next steps:

Constantly check your email
Constantly check the college website
Constantly check the application portal
Follow the college on all social media platforms
Thank you comment icon Thank you! princess
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