Cost is a bigger factor. It’s one thing to pay for virtual learning at an inexpensive in-state school, quite another thing to pay astronomical private school prices when there is no real college experience. Sadly it doesn’t look like this year’s seniors are going to have a normal college experience for at least the first year and likely longer.

No, because while I don't think there will be a widely-distributed vaccine that works that I will allow my HS senior to take by then. I do think it will happen by 2022, and I'd rather they attend the school they are dreaming/hoping for rather than a second choice because of what will happen for 1/2 to 1 year.

I don’t think open equals good and closed equals bad. I want a school that is handling things well. Niece goes to school in the South where everyone is getting COVID.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a natural pessimist and I'm with you OP. I check the live updates on Inside Higher Ed to see who's doing well and who's doing not so well. It's also informative but very sad to see humanities programs cut as an economizing measure.

Same here. I am looking at how the schools are managing COVID and thinking about what next year will look like.This will factor into the ultimate decision.

At this time, it is pointless to guess. You have no idea the situation will be in Sept. of next year. Even schools that are open now could be shut down in days if an outbreak occurred or if the governor ordered the action even if the school is handling it well.

I'm a natural pessimist and I'm with you OP. I check the live updates on Inside Higher Ed to see who's doing well and who's doing not so well. It's also informative but very sad to see humanities programs cut as an economizing measure.

No. First, I think we'll have a vaccine by then. Second, 1-2 semesters remove will be okay if the 6-7 are in person.

Anonymous wrote:Will your DC college decision hinge a little or a lot on whether the school is in-person for Fall 2021? We’re getting ahead of ourselves I know since EA ED just submitted, but in our house we are already having this discussion .... for example maybe go to the second choice school which is in person vs the top choice if it is online....

Smart thinking. DS is at a terrific midwestern SLAC that has done a nice job of safely reopening. Mask wearing, distancing, etc, but at least they are in person and going to class work nearly no infections. Helps that the college has no fraternities and has a nice, responsible group of kids.
But he has friends from high school who thought they would be in places like Grinnell or Occidental and instead are doing zoom from their bedrooms at home. Maybe some of these colleges will switch for next year, but I would be extremely leery of committing to any of the ones that are remote until the pandemic is entirely over.

Will your DC college decision hinge a little or a lot on whether the school is in-person for Fall 2021? We’re getting ahead of ourselves I know since EA ED just submitted, but in our house we are already having this discussion .... for example maybe go to the second choice school which is in person vs the top choice if it is online....