Anonymous wrote:I’m confused. Wouldn’t this be for Class of 2020, i.e., incoming college freshman? Won’t college life be more or less back to normal in a year for Class of 2021?

No one knows if that's true. We don't know what Fall 2021 will look like. It could be over and it could be the middle of the third wave.

If you DC plans to take a gap year, but has no where to go and nothing to do, the CC route would be a good idea.

Anonymous wrote:Our '20 kid opted to go ahead and start school. Can't travel, no real job opportunities, so may as well go ahead and get started with things and see if things get somewhere close to normal at some point during the college years.

+1. I don't want a 25 year old hanging out in my basement waiting to have a "real college experience". My kid wants to get started with online classes and is rolling with the situation. He also has a job. Keep moving forward, keep adapting, make the best of your situation.

Our '20 kid opted to go ahead and start school. Can't travel, no real job opportunities, so may as well go ahead and get started with things and see if things get somewhere close to normal at some point during the college years.

Anonymous wrote:There is not a perfect answer here. Student can apply, get accepted and defer or wait another year.

Universities may have larger waiting lists and not allow gap years, Take the spot or we will move on to the list for someone who wants it now.

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused. Wouldn’t this be for Class of 2020, i.e., incoming college freshman? Won’t college life be more or less back to normal in a year for Class of 2021?

We have no idea. Vaccines can often take years/decades to develop. The bigger question, will there be standard therapies in a year such that contracting the virus becomes no big deal

My super smart 24 year old was going to apply to grad school for fall 2021 entry but realized in early April that applications would be down and he should shoot for starting this fall. He finished his application in two days and got into a top ten program with a ton of merit aid. Schools are begging kids to enroll right now. May be a missed opportunity to wait a year.

Anonymous wrote:Geez, why is everyone trying to screw the next class down? Just go the year you graduate and don’t contribute to the problem.

That is ridiculous. If that is how you look at it I could ask why is the following class trying to screw the class above by putting them on a forced march into a crappy freshman year.

This virus has screwed with every student and class. Try to help each student through it with the best choices available for each one. There are no good options for anyone.

There is not a perfect answer here. Student can apply, get accepted and defer or wait another year.

Anonymous wrote:Do GAP year. Next year the class of 2020 Gap year kids will be starting, taking spots from the 2021 kids. Ergo 2021-2022 is a great year to take a gap year.

Except there are going to be 2022 grads, too.

If your kid is go with the flow and flexible and wants to go to school then enroll - but if they are on the fence, or worried about an uncertain experience, def take a gap year at home. There will be shifts in the workforce this fall If school is online and lots of opportunity to work.

Geez, why is everyone trying to screw the next class down? Just go the year you graduate and don’t contribute to the problem.

I say go straight to school. Slide on in there while others are unsure

Yes Op, encourage it.

And if I were ever asked before for my opinion in a differernt year, I speak out against gap years

Do GAP year. Next year the class of 2020 Gap year kids will be starting, taking spots from the 2021 kids. Ergo 2021-2022 is a great year to take a gap year.