A College Admissions Counselor Talks About Applying During COVID-19

This post is one that has been on my heart for a long time, especially considering how much 2020 has affected college students and college admissions processes. As many of you probably don’t know, especially if you’re visiting for the first time (welcome friends!), I’m an Admissions Counselor for the University of Texas at Austin. 

With that revealed, I do not intend to share tips or counsel anyone on “how to” get admitted to college, especially UT, or plan to give information that has to do with my place of employment. If you all want to learn more about becoming a Longhorn, I will share a link below where you can take that research into your own hands. 

Today, we are diving into the encouragement I hope can lift your spirits, in case they are down. There are so many shared hardships, both high school applicants and college students, possibly prospective transfers, have had to endure. It’s only right that you hear, from an Admissions Counselor, just how little your mind should succumb to worry and fear throughout your college admissions journey. 

Let’s dig in, shall we? 

what we are up against

It’s no trade secret that general admissions have been affected by COVID-19, the effects of virtual/dynamic learning, and quarantine orders. If I were to create a flow chart for you all, there would be far too many sections that would make it impossible to connect anything coherently. 

Whether it’s financial instability or the emotional turmoil that sudden change can force onto any individual, there are quite a few things I can promise every College or University has had to take into consideration this year. Here are a few that I am regretful to share: 

QUICK NOTE: I do not want this list to bring up difficult thoughts or emotions if you have experienced any of these hardships. Scroll to "what I want for you all," for some encouragement.

• Financial strain or instability. 
• Emotional effects or mental health concerns due to quarantine. 
• Virtual learning taking a toll on grades and academic success. 
• Inability to participate in organizations, activities, and pre-determined internships. 
• Family or household dynamics that could cause safety or mental health concerns. 
• Shared emotional investment in current affairs and societal trauma experienced in any given country of residence (protests, elections, and so on…) 
• An illness that affects one’s ability to participate in daily activities or illnesses in the family that results in the sudden onset of additional responsibilities. 
• Loss in the family or friend group, resulting in struggles that pretty much encompass every point made above.

The list, my friends… The list goes on and on and on. Although it’s not a list I wish existed at this time, the heartbreak is met with wonder once I consider how shared many of these points are between us all. From the frontline workers to the small-business owner and stay-at-home parental figures, we are all enduring a situation that isn’t privileged with a “blueprint.” 

We ARE the blueprint.

Now, I can imagine that this is not encouraging. It’s not even the least bit inspiring to think about how WE were called to be the ones that endure the hardships so the next generation, forbid they have a similar situation, know what to do and how to function. I understand that the positivity does not have to be packed between two stale pieces of bread to make a “happy sandwich.” 

We are still the blueprint, though, and no matter how much I want you all to sit in your emotions and feel everything—we have to understand how humanistic many institutions and powerful entities have become as a result.

The one institution we are talking about is college admissions, and I can attest that even the most fully-functioning and highly intuitive application review processes have been audited to match our current situation. 

No matter where you plan to apply, and no matter what their admissions process is, I can promise that each Two-Year, Four-Year College and University has had to question their many “moving parts” to see how each section can make sense in a COVID-19 era. 

Even for UT, many were able to witness our transition to online information sessions at the drop of a hat in March (2020). I can’t speak for my colleagues, but I was terrified for myself and my family, all while smiling into the camera on Zoom, a platform I hadn’t used as consistently beforehand, to deliver the same experience I tried to offer in person. 

I’m sure the desire of these admissions offices around the globe hasn’t changed when it comes to seeking fresh minds that are ready to engage with their offerings and coursework—filling their campuses with renewed energy. 

Regardless of these desires, once COVID-19 hit our globe full-force, every office had to consider the list I shared above. Every nook and cranny was explored to understand what future applicants had/have to work through to join each campus and succeed. Whether it was determining how to review applications that might not include as much information or activity history, or developing an understanding of test scores and academic success during a difficult semester—it all plays a role.

I may be rambling at this point, but I just want to make sure you all understand what’s at play behind the screen and within these higher ed offices. I only work within one university, but I can assure you that humanity will seep into every corner, no matter the mascot or school song. 

COVID-19 took away the control we all once had. We had so much control over the opportunity we could garner to set ourselves “higher” or in better positions for our futures. Even for those that were already experiencing hardships, this pandemic has only heightened the struggle that many assumed couldn’t get “worse.” It’s NOT an easy time, but the fact that it WAS out of your control is the point I’m trying to make. 

When we begin to feed ourselves the idea that a loss in control is still somehow our responsibility, we start to engage in these hyper-vigilant behaviors surrounding things that we believe CAN be controlled. 

I must admit that college admissions are definitely a part of this conversation, especially after I’ve spoken to and witnessed hundreds of students send anxiety-ridden emails or worry-filled comments in Zoom calls about their “chances” or their fear of not “achieving ___.” 

what I want for you all

I want you all to know that these admissions offices see you because we see ourselves and it’s not cute behind these closed doors either. I can’t begin to tell you how many breakdowns I have had right before or after a virtual information session. I have also represented virtual life at its finest after many failures to charge my laptop before meetings or realizing that I was muted on Zoom after talking for five minutes... 

You all are seen and heard and understood, to a very clear extent. Again, each school has its own process, but it is one of the most life-changing experiences to read the essays UT receives from applicants—students who trust us enough with their story. 

(Keep in mind that each school has its own set of required application materials, which may not include an essay). 

Speaking for myself, one little Admissions Counselor with a small corner of the internet, I hear your voices through your words. I can grasp the excitement and the worry and the hesitation, right alongside the confidence and hope that sneaks through the inventive vocabulary words some of y’all use (I have dictionary.com bookmarked, thanks y’all)! 

This year has been out of our control, and admissions offices don’t have everything “under control,” but we are all experiencing a shared sense of humanity that will not desert you. No matter what your admissions decision is, no matter the school and desire to attend that school, you will recover.

If you recovered or are attempting to recover from this pandemic, college is an understatement to your already proven resilience. Do not let this time break you down more than it should, because you rose to the occasion and applied through it all. Even to the one that might defer and take a gap year, or to the lovely student who might need to work and provide for their family—it’s the resilience, for me. (Do these meme references make me cool, yet?)

It’s the undeniable purpose your life holds, which is the reason why you’re still here, Zoom-fatigued and Tik Tok’ed out, for me.

Any admissions office would be lucky to have you because you are the blueprint that future generations will lean on. Live in that, no matter which packets and emails hit your inbox in the spring. 

I could only dream that you continue to dream.

I was about to write “that’s all for now,” as if it was a light read, but we know good and well that this was a much longer post than anticipated. 

If you made it to the end, I appreciate you for advocating for yourself and seeking some encouragement. No matter our individual situations, I hope this could ease minds and help some shoulders drop. 

Search @themakaylalynn if you want to connect with me on social media. Additionally, consider attending an information session if you want to learn more about the University of Texas at Austin. Finally, if you want to apply, visit their Admissions Checklist for an overview of our required materials. (No, I’m not trying to sell UT to you all. An Admissions Counselor will “Admissions Counsel,” am I right?) 

Sending peace your way, my friends.