No matter what, someone is going to say it was a "brutal" year or a "bloodbath."

Looks at the NACAC list and notice that there are over 200 schools still looking for applicants right now. The process is only scary if you focus on the most selective colleges.

Test optional needs to stop. Test sites are widely available for the class of 2022 and will continue through the year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harder. Junior year grades affected by virtual learning. Recommendations affected by virtual learning. Test optional still leading to large number of applicants everywhere.

Also half the country didn't shut down as we did, so their schools had in-person learning, sports and extracurriculars. Their applications accordingly will have more content.

This.

Most states have had their kids in school this year. They have had sports, clubs, volunteer opportunities, etc. My kid has spent junior year stuck at home in silent break out rooms, and his grades and AP scores will reflect that. Add to that the fact that half his friends are admittedly cheating on everything, this year it is going to been impossible to compare students.

Same number of kids applying for same number of openings, right? The problem is too many applications (upwards of 20 or more per student) create a waitlist hell that takes longer to sort out.

Don't worry, if you're prepared, your 2022 graduate will be OK.

Harder:

- ripple effect of deferrals
- uncertainty about where to apply due two two years with unusual results
- sophomore and junior year grades impacted by distance learning
- test optional, plus most kids unable to participate in NMSFQT and also not being able to take repeat SATs, like some people usually do.
- the critical year of service hours completely disrupted for many, but not all kids
- summer jobs, programs, internships cancelled 1 or 2 summers
- 1-2 seasons of sports cancelled depending on the sport
- theater and instrumentalists have zero live performances for 1-2 performance seasons, and many with no in person practice/lessons

All during the most critical three semesters and two summers before applications are due. Lots of vacuous resumes from the most locked down areas and populations.

Anonymous wrote:Harder. Junior year grades affected by virtual learning. Recommendations affected by virtual learning. Test optional still leading to large number of applicants everywhere.

Also half the country didn't shut down as we did, so their schools had in-person learning, sports and extracurriculars. Their applications accordingly will have more content.

All signs point toward same or worse as Class of 2021. Make friends with your school counselor or hire outside counselor.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - depressing information but good reality check

Yup. Start tamping down expectations and a coming up with a plan B, C and D.

OP here - depressing information but good reality check

Anonymous wrote:Harder. Junior year grades affected by virtual learning. Recommendations affected by virtual learning. Test optional still leading to large number of applicants everywhere.

+1

no testing means crapshoots. It used to be that you had two yard sticks that you could use to figure out where you had a good shot at getting in- GPA and SAT/ACT. Now you only have one, so that increases uncertainty

Also, no ability to visit schools during junior year.

Harder. Junior year grades affected by virtual learning. Recommendations affected by virtual learning. Test optional still leading to large number of applicants everywhere.

Anonymous wrote:Seem as if high school class of 2020 had an easier time with college admissions and 2021 had a rough go of it (no standardized tests required, leftovers from 2020 stepping back in after a gap year etc.). Will things be as difficult for the 2022 kids when they apply to college?

The well above average deferrals by the class of 2020 resulted in a three year effect that negatively impacts college applicants through 2024.

Seem as if high school class of 2020 had an easier time with college admissions and 2021 had a rough go of it (no standardized tests required, leftovers from 2020 stepping back in after a gap year etc.). Will things be as difficult for the 2022 kids when they apply to college?