Prospective college students in limbo as coronavirus halts classes, tests
High school seniors could have a big hole in their transcripts if they don't finish the current semester, and some standardized tests have been canceled.
Posted — UpdatedHigh school seniors could have a big hole in their transcripts if they don’t finish the current semester, and some standardized tests have been canceled.
Dena Levin, a junior, was supposed to take the SAT on March 14. It was canceled.
“I’d been studying for, like, months, so this was kind of a disappointment for me,” she said.
Tutors who prepare students for the SAT, offered by the College Board, and the ACT say they will get more chances.
“This is unchartered territory for everybody,” said Heather Forgione, owner of Forgione Tutoring. “College Board and ACT are running through all the scenarios. What can we do? Can we offer more test dates? Can we do something over the summer?”
Dena said her college counselor told her not to worry because students are all in the same boat.
Some students are worried about having a "hole" in their transcripts for an unfinished semester.
Counselors say colleges may except transcripts with pass or fail indicators instead of actual grades and may go score-blind, not requiring standardized tests.
“I think they all realize that they're going to have to do some things that are a little different and make some changes to accommodate these students that are having to go through this,” said Wendy Briley, an independent educational consultant.
Jon Westover, director of undergraduate admissions at North Carolina State University, said the state should give public guidance on what changes they can make.
“Freshmen, sophomores and juniors will have some kind of an odd situation for this particular year on their transcript,” he said. “Hopefully the system and DPI get together and make sure everybody understands.”
For students who have already been admitted to a college, the deadline to accept is May 1. Some colleges are moving that date, giving families more time, with the understanding that finances may be more of an issue.
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