COVID19 and the shutdown of many schools, colleges and universities has had a significant impact on SAC/ACT testing opportunities. Many colleges and universities recognize this and have decided to be test optional or test free for the Fall 2022 Admissions.
Class of 2022 should not stress about taking the SAT or ACT before applying if the schools they are applying to are test optional/free. Click here for a complete list of schools that are test optional/free.
These listed colleges with test-optional policies in place affirm that they will not penalize students for the absence of a standardized test score. NACAC strongly endorses a student-centered, holistic approach to admission that will not disadvantage any student without a test score.
The California State University (CSU) and UC's are currently test free for Class of 2022. Test scores will not be used for admission or scholarship purposes. They will not accept the scores even if you send them. DO NOT SEND THEM TO UC's or CSU's.
APPLICATIONS
College Applications are open and will continue to open through October. Be aware of deadlines AND TIME ZONES. Due dates will note the time zone and not all are Pacific Standard Time. Make sure you don't wait to the last minute to submit. Late submissions will not be accepted even if it is a technical difficulty.
CSU APPLY opens October 1.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Counselors have posted the information they need for their Letters of Recommendation. All packets are due October 5th. See Counseling pages for the complete packet.
If you need a Teacher Letter of Recommendation, make sure to ask an appropriate teacher to write the Letter, in person. If they need additional information about you, please use the attached document.
Care Counts in Crisis: College Admissions Deans Respond to COVID-19. This statement was developed in collaboration with admissions leaders and has been endorsed by leaders at more than 360 institutions across the United States. It describes what college admissions offices value and expect—and don't expect—from students during the pandemic.
As admission and enrollment leaders, we recognize that we and the institutions we represent send signals that can shape students’ priorities and experiences throughout high school. This collective statement seeks to clarify what we value in applicants during this time of COVID-19. We are keenly aware that students across the country and the world are experiencing many uncertainties and challenges. We primarily wish to underscore our commitment to equity and to encourage in students self-care, balance, meaningful learning, and care for others.
More specifically, we value the following:
We also value forms of contribution that are unrelated to this pandemic, such as working to register voters, protect the environment, combat racial injustice and inequities or stop online harassment among peers. Our interest is not in whether students created a new project or demonstrated leadership during this period. We, emphatically, do not seek to create a competitive public service “Olympics” in response to this pandemic. What matters to us is whether students’ contribution or service is authentic and meaningful to them and to others, whether that contribution is writing regular notes to frontline workers or checking in with neighbors who are isolated. We will assess these contributions and service in the context of the obstacles students are facing. We also care about what students have learned from their contributions to others about themselves, their communities, and/or their country (Please see Turning the Tide for additional information about the kinds of contributions and service we value). No student will be disadvantaged during this time who is not in a position to provide these contributions. We will review these students for admissions in terms of other aspects of their applications.
REPORTING INFORMATION THAT IS IMPORTANT TO STUDENTS AND TO US
We will gather information from schools themselves about curriculum and academic resources and supports, but we encourage students to communicate any factors specific to their circumstances that impeded their academic performance. Those factors might include, for example, lack of access to the internet, no quiet place to study, or the various family responsibilities described above. We encourage students to describe concretely how any of these circumstances have negatively affected their academic performance or ability to engage in activities that matter to them. It is helpful to know, for example, how much time students spent per week taking on a family responsibility, such as taking care of a sick relative. This information will be treated completely confidentially.
Both the Common Application and the Coalition for College application provide opportunities for students to describe how they have been impacted by the pandemic.
Above all else
Be a Panther Senior of Integrity
Answer all questions on your applications truthfully
Establish an appropriate email address. Read your emails! Use and frequently check your email for all your school related information. Colleges communicate via email and want students to get in the habit of communicating via email now.
Stay on Track
Senior grades count -- stay focused! Prepare now for AP exams and finals by doing well each and every day in class.
Sweat the Details
Pay attention to deadlines!
Plan to attend all the events on the CCC Calendar of Events
Keep hard copies of all documents
The Big Reveal
All college decisions are released by April 1st
Visit colleges, if possible, to compare/contrast as decisions are made
Students MUST notify all colleges by May 1st
Notify only 1 college of your intent to attend
Questions regarding waitlist status? Visit your counselor or the CCC
Courtesy Counts
Once you know... it’s time to say thank you to anyone who has written a letter of recommendation for you or assisted you along your journey. A handwritten thank you note is greatly appreciated by those who gave of their time on your behalf! Be sure to include your teachers and counselors and let them know the outcome of your decisions.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- All seniors need to check SchooLinks weekly. Deadlines come and go quickly and scholarships are all about DEADLINES! Keep track of all the important dates and get everything in on time. There are no second chances with Scholarships and Financial Aid and you don’t want to miss out on a great scholarship opportunity!
- Review financial aid packages sent with offers of college admission. Questions? See Mrs. Shafer in the CCC.