College Counseling & COVID-19 FAQ's

Yes, some colleges will be impacted by the financial fallout from COVID-19. It is predicted that between ten to twenty percent of colleges could go out of business or merge with more financially sound institutions. The College Counseling Office monitors which colleges are struggling financially.

We know how frustrating it has been to have such limited testing options available to students. University Prep will offer socially distant school day SAT and ACT testing  in small groups for University Prep seniors, only. The test dates are as follows:

School day SAT: Wednesday, October 14   
Registration deadline: September 10

School day ACT: Tuesday, October 20
Registration deadline: September 10

Our preference is that students pick one or the other test to keep our numbers as low as possible.

Registration for both exams will take place here: https://aptsusa.com/uprep/. Students who are eligible for a fee waiver should ask their college counselor for a fee waiver code. School day testing is only for UPrep seniors. Students must register for these exams through the portal above, NOT through their College Board or ACT accounts.   Refunds will be given if University Prep is unable to offer on campus testing.

We also want to remind you that not testing is a valid option for a variety of reasons. As always, we will advocate for every student, share the story of how challenging it has been to test in Seattle, and support each student’s personal decision around safety.

SAT and ACT tests are purely optional. As of mid-August, 60% of American colleges and universities report operating under a test-optional admissions processes. Yet a few colleges have indicated that although they are test optional, they would prefer standardized test scores. We also know that many merit scholarships and honors colleges are still requiring some form of standardized testing. Additionally, some students have prepared for these exams, and believe that a strong exam score will help them in the admission process.

We know it’s really hard to visualize yourself on a campus without having the opportunity to visit in person. While the vast majority of campuses are closed to visitors this fall, there are a number of virtual visit opportunities—from online college fairs and individual admission counselor visits to alumni panels and YouTube tours. Please remember that in addition to SCOIR, our UPrep online college counseling program, you can employ the following resources to learn more about specific colleges: YouVisit, College Niche, and a new comprehensive open-sourced Google doc created by college counselors from around the country. Additionally, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling is offering a series of virtual colleges fairs all fall. UPrep students can also use our Puma College Connections Program to talk with UPrep alumni currently attending 50 different colleges and universities. While we don’t want to encourage students to travel long distances this fall, students can still visit local campuses in a socially distant manner if they wish, even if it means not entering buildings.

Not all colleges track demonstrated interest as part of the college process, but many do. There are plenty of ways to engage with colleges online—attending virtual fairs, Zoom high school visits, responding to emails, and participating in interviews. We encourage students to engage with admission representatives in a virtual format, if possible. College Kickstart allows students to see which schools track demonstrated interest. All seniors have access to College Kickstart, but must share their login information with their parents (seniors without access can ask their college counselor for username and password information).

Yes, most colleges continue to offer interviews via Zoom. When students can interview depends on each school’s policy. Students should check the websites for the colleges where they are applying for details about how to sign up for an interview.

Yes, all juniors and seniors can visit with college admissions representatives. Colleges from across the country and around the globe will offer information sessions for our students before and after school from September through November. These visits are posted in SCOIR.

You are not alone. Please have candid conversations with Kelly or Britten and your student about your financial considerations during the college process. Kelly and Britten are well-versed in helping families complete financial aid applications and are happy to talk about outside scholarships. By law, every college has to offer a Net Price Calculator. Net Price Calculators allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.

All students are in the same position—with most school campuses closed and co-curricular activities altered or cancelled. Colleges understand the impact COVID-19 has had on co-curricular pursuits, and they will review applications within the context of each student’s life and school situation. We are also encouraging students to create their own co-curricular activities and to think broadly about what defines a co-curricular activity. Helping to care for siblings, cooking dinner, and doing yard work all count as co-curricular activities. So does reading books for pleasure. A few  of our students have enjoyed volunteering virtually through Omprakash, and others have enrolled in free classes through Class Central.