How Will Coronavirus Impact Prospective International Students?

With so many colleges closing their doors or moving instruction online due to the coronavirus outbreak, prospective students are left wondering what this means for them. International students may be particularly anxious, especially with the ongoing travel bans. If you’re a high school junior or senior who lives in another country and were hoping to attend college in the United States, how will COVID-19 impact your education? Here’s what you should know.

What Seniors Should Know

Decision Delays

Since many colleges have shut down, you may see a delay in the release of college decisions. If decisions are delayed, you should also expect an extension for the deposit deadline. Admission Community Cultivating Equality & Peace Today (ACCEPT) is urging all institutions to delay National Decision Day from May 1st to June 1st. We have a list of schools that have already made this change, and are updating it daily. Just a few of these institutions are:

• Ithaca College
• Loyola University of Maryland
• Ohio University
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Williams College

Extended decision deadlines will benefit students in many ways. They’ll have more time to decide on which college is the best fit, as well as consider and compare financial aid packages.

Visas

International students may have trouble securing visas due to travel bans to and from the U.S., particularly if they live in areas that have been severely impacted by coronavirus. If travel bans extend into the fall, you may need to rely on remote learning during your first semester or year, or defer your acceptance to the following semester or year. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to give up your spot entirely. It’s a good idea to look into local college options as a backup, just in case.

College Visits

Visiting colleges in person will probably not be possible given the current pandemic. But some institutions are offering virtual alternatives to help students make their college decisions. For example, Williams College is offering ways of connecting with and asking current students questions remotely, while the Ohio State University is working on virtual webinars for admitted students. The New York Times offers other ways to research colleges during these unusual circumstances.

You should also explore ongoing digital resources, including student blogs and YouTube videos, to get a sense of what it’s like to attend a given school. Cornell University and George Washington University are some examples of schools offering these perspectives. Also try searching for Facebook groups for previously accepted classes of students, such as the Class of 2022, to ask current students questions. Your school counselor may also know alumni of your high school who currently attend the college, and can put you in touch with them.

While it can be difficult to gauge your fit with a college without seeing it in person, do your best to learn as much as possible about it through the above methods. As you make your decision, you should think about the academics and instructional quality, as well as student life, housing, extracurricular activities, the surrounding community, your cost of attendance, and whatever else is important to you.

For an easy way to compare schools, visit our free college admissions platform. On each school profile page, you’ll find information about the campus setting, housing, weather, diversity, and more. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today for help deciding on your best-fit school!

What Juniors Should Know

TOEFL 

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has been delayed or postponed in a number of locations, particularly those that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19. Depending on the situation in your particular area, your test may be automatically rescheduled with the rescheduling fee waived. There is an at-home version in the works as well, so that the test will be accessible to more people.

SAT

The College Board has canceled the May 2nd and March 28th SAT administrations. Students who have already scheduled sittings for these times will be refunded. The June 6th test date is still on (Subject Tests only), and the College Board is also working to offer additional testing opportunities, including an extra international administration. 

If you’re worried about taking the test in time, you’re not alone. See our post on navigating SAT cancellations due to Coronavirus for more information.

These are difficult times for everyone. At CollegeVine, we’re here to support you. COVID-19 is a constantly-changing situation, and we want to ensure you have access to the most up-to-date info in one place. Visit our Coronavirus Info Center to check for any new developments in college admissions during these unusual circumstances.