LANSING, Mich. — We’ve spoken at length about the issues facing incoming college freshmen but COVID-19 has also affected students applying to schools. Some high school seniors are still waiting on their delayed ACT scores. The group behind the test says they will get them by the end of the month. But students say it’s not only affecting their applications but their chance at scholarships.
Dan Grossman reports it takes a lot to turn ambition to apathy “there’s just a lot- there’s a lot of anxiety riding on it.”but for Sarah Horner’s daughter, Riley, who hopes to go to the University of Illinois next year, COVID has found a way.
“I’ve watched her get all excited to take it, and then i’ve watched her kind of- she’s just done, and that’s how a lot of the kids are.” As a senior in high school she’s waiting on scores from her ACT - a test she was scheduled to take in April- but wasn’t able to until June.
It means applications, and especially scholarships, that were supposed to be complete weeks ago now can’t be completed until the results come in.
“It’s been very tough watching her struggle.” “and it’s not just me. there are parents all over the United States that are just as upset about this.” “it’s devastating. yes, it is honestly devastating.”
Cecilia Walker's son Seth was supposed to take the test in March: “it’s pretty much universal. all of my friends are having the same issues of getting hung up on by the ACT.”
Seth is confident he’ll get into the university of auburn what he isn’t confident about- is the 32-thousand dollar scholarship he’s applying for since he too doesn’t have his score after his test was rescheduled to July “it’s a big bump.” Once COVID-19 hit tests were canceled and rescheduled for the summer. At the same time the ACT had scheduled to launch a new website feature- overloading the system and causing it to crash. For parents and students who typically receive scores within 2-3 weeks of the test it left them scrambling to find a recourse.
“It’s the difference between a $32,000 a year scholarship and nothing.
Parents that have been planning that- all of that has been pulled out within a year of your student going to college.” In an email the act said “We know this has been extremely frustrating for parents and students for weeks we’ve been working non-stop to improve the experience of engaging with act, and we’ll continue to do so to ensure students have every opportunity to achieve success.”
Adding they will continue to roll out scores through August 31st. “She’s going to take a few classes at a community college just so we are still getting, I guess, college credits." A deadline too little too late for some families who had hoped to have applications already out the door.
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