Applying to college is already a stressful experience for many high school students and their parents. Throw in a global pandemic, and you’ve got a recipe for frustration unlike any other. Between unprecedented financial situations to campuses that can’t be toured, almost every key aspect of the college admissions process has been turned on its end. Fortunately, one of the best private high schools in Clearwater, FL, Lakeside Christian School, has compiled a comprehensive list of ways you can assist your child with applying to college during COVID-19.
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Nationwide bans on large campus gatherings have forced many colleges to cancel in-person campus tours and admission events. To compensate for the lack of admission visits, a number of colleges have begun using virtual webinars, tours, and events to allow prospective students to get a feel for the school during the admissions process. You can find a number of these tours and virtual webinars on the college’s website. For example, if your student wanted to attend Harvard, they’re welcome to attend a student-led Virtual Historical Tour of Harvard via Zoom for a history of the university, general information, and a unique perspective of the student’s individual experience. If your student is deciding between several options, you could also use CampusTours — the leading provider of video tours, photorealistic interactive campus maps, and compelling walking tours. No matter which college your student is interested in, there’s sure to be a virtual component available for them to get a better understanding of what it’s like on campus and in the classroom.
More than ever, U.S. universities are seeing a surge in interest from in-state students looking to stay closer to home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some students may want to be closer to home in case the pandemic once again forces classes online, while others are looking to benefit from the in-state tuition rates. If your child was only applying to out-of-state schools with one safety school in their home state, now would be the time to broaden their application net, applying both to high-range and safety schools. We also recommend spending time with your child to re-identify schools that are the best fit for them based on academics, financial aid, campus culture, and, now, distance from home.
Related: 3 Qualities College Admissions Offices Look For In Applicants
There was already a trend in place of colleges moving away from requiring the SAT or ACT and, because of the pandemic, nearly two-thirds of colleges in the United States have gone test-optional as thousands of students had their tests canceled due to COVID-19-related safety concerns. If your child has already taken the SAT or ACT, the decision whether or not to submit these scores for their college application can be a difficult one. To have the best chance of getting accepted into the university of their choice, we recommend that your child only submit their scores under two conditions:
For example, if the university’s SAT average is 1400, and your child earned a 1250 on the SAT, it may prove detrimental to submit their SAT scores in their application. For a high school that knows exactly what colleges are looking for in your child’s education and will work with them every step of the way to properly prepare them well in advance of the college application process, choose Lakeside Christian School — one of the best private schools in Clearwater, FL.
If you would like to learn more about Lakeside Christian School, one of the top private schools in Clearwater, FL, please give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour of our campus.