Even in an era of pandemics, student stills need to decide where they will attend college in Fall, 2020. But making the final decision during a pandemic is decidedly different from the way it was in the past.
This article from Road2College highlights some of the questions students and family members should be asking themselves. For example, the article discusses ensuring that the student’s intended major is offered at the school, the student body size preference, etc. The article also suggests that in the time of a pandemic, there are other questions students and family members should be thinking about. Not surprisingly, it also raises excellent questions that are specific to a pandemic. This post is being written in mid-May, 2020, at a time when many colleges have not made a final decision about whether they will open face-to-face for Fall, 2020 or not. It’s a fair guess, however, to assume that at some point during Fall, 2020, learning will be remote rather than face-to-face. What students and parents have to decide is if the student will still experience something unique or valuable even if part of their instruction is online. And while online learning is still learning and can be of excellent quality, that’s not what the vast majority of students are looking for.
The Nuts and Bolts
I’ve addressed some of the options students have in my post on alternatives to campus visits. Students do have options on ways they can explore so they can make the proper decision about were to attend college.
One concern we’ve heard recently is that students feel unable to make good decisions unless they can physically visit a campus. While I suggest in my blog post that students can use the online tools or schedule Zoom chats with admissions personnel to see the campus, the campus won’t appear the way it would during a regular semester. Students and family members can follow any health guidelines and drive to the campus to scope out the area. Focus on such a trip on: size of the campus, how it looks, the neighborhood around it and what options students have for off campus-activities, such as stores, recreation, etc. These can all be explored from the comfort of your vehicle.
Something else to think about: every college or university that specializes in face-to-face instruction is struggling with what to do, how to do it, and who will be joining them in the fall. Students, therefore, are in a strong bargaining position. This isn’t to suggest that you hold the college hostage until you get a bigger aid package. In fact, many colleges are struggling financially because of the salaries they’ve had to pay while refunding room and board charges. On the other hand, if a student wants to take until mid-June to make a final decision,. I’d bet many schools would accommodate that. This story on NPR addresses some of the common questions students and family members may have, such as how to read financial aid award letters and still using the resources such as guidance counselors who can help students make their final decisions. The resources are still there: encourage your student to use them.
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