High School During COVID-19 - College Application and Tours

By Gabriela Rosenfeld, PaperSeed’s 2020 Intern

Towards the end of the school year, many juniors begin the process of applying to college. This typically starts with extensive research and a college trip so students can visit their prospective schools. For the students who have the privilege of visiting a college or university, it is a good opportunity to see if they like the environment and if the campus is a good fit for them. Unfortunately, with worldwide school closures due to the spread of COVID-19, this has not been possible. Luckily, colleges and universities have found alternative ways to give students a look at their campuses and help them make decisions about where they would like to attend.

Many universities already have virtual tours on their websites where students can look at images, including a 360 degree view of the campus, and learn about unique programs. As a result of the pandemic, some universities have been hosting live virtual tours via meeting platforms such as Zoom. Students who currently attend the university share photos and videos as they speak about their experiences and share information about housing, academic programs for which the university is renowned, and campus life in general. In the comment section, viewers can ask questions, receive answers, and even chat with current students.

Before the pandemic began, I was fortunate enough to attend a few in-person tours. Since sheltering in place, I have attended several virtual tours via Zoom. Although I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to visit campuses in person, there are not as many benefits to the in-person tours as one might think. While it is true that visiting a campus in person allows you to get a better sense of the physical layout of that campus, things like academic statistics, special programs, and even a sense of the social life can be adequately understood through a virtual tour.

In addition to the tours led by universities, some high schools are presenting virtual college informational meetings. At my high school, we are fortunate to have a College and Career Center which has hosted several virtual meetings providing information about the college application process and giving tips for writing college essays and completing applications. English teachers also have played a large role in this process, and are giving suggestions on how to compose compelling essays and how to begin the process of applying for college.

Having attended both virtual and in-person college tours, it has become clear that not being able to physically be on a college campus is not a major obstacle in the process of finding a college that is the best fit. Attending college tours has always been an equity issue. Many high school students are not able to afford traveling to tour a university, especially when that university is far from home. The cost of plane tickets, car rentals, gas, and hotel rooms can add up quickly, not to mention a huge time commitment which many parents or families cannot afford to make. On the other hand, virtual tours can be experienced from any location, and the best part is they are free! The only requirement is a device to view the tour. This allows more students, who might not otherwise be able to partake in college tours, to enrich their college search experience. With no end to the pandemic in sight, it is likely that virtual college tours will continue to evolve and more closely resemble their in-person counterparts. When the pandemic is in the past, perhaps students will continue to embrace this new tool for research and continue to make their college decisions based on what they are able to experience through the screen of their device —along with considerable research.