Penney said it will be harder because colleges will have fewer pieces of data to make admissions decisions on -- beginning with standardized tests.
"There are over 1,000 schools, four-year institutions, that are not requiring the standardized test, whether that's the SAT or ACT, and every day we hear of more adding to it," Penney told WFXT.
Those tests were canceled in spring because of social distancing concerns.
Still, Penney advises students who believe they can score within or above the range a chosen college would have normally required, to take the tests.
Another lost data point: School districts across the country voted in favor of a pass/fail system that will have no impact on the GPA. The new process replaced traditional letter grades.
Penney said she believes colleges will be forced to look at the whole student and that could open up more opportunities.
“I really believe your college essay, your resume, your activity sheet is going to be that much more important," Penney said.
Penney advises steering clear of using COVID-19 as an essay topic unless it has significantly changed a student’s life in a way that a college admissions representative could learn a lot more about him or her.
If you’re just going to talk about, ‘Oh I’m so sad I lost my spring sports season,' everybody has, right? Be mindful that you’re not the only one that’s affected by this in the common ways," Penney said. “But if it’s you that had to work to support your family? Absolutely that’s something to talk about.”
And if students haven’t established a relationship with their guidance counselor, it’s important to do so, as he or she will be writing a recommendation, Penney said.
With variables other than grades to consider, Penney said if the school fits, students should expand the list of “reach” schools they’re applying to because with some colleges and universities, it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be considered for skills and strengths not apparent on transcripts and tests.
“There’s a big asterisk next to the 2021 class,” Penney said. "It’s not their fault.”
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