College admission were unpredictable last year. The impact of going test optional was much greater than expected. While the UCs and other highly competitive schools saw a record number of applications, smaller less well know schools experience a drop in applications. Cal State Humboldt is looking to acquire polytechnic status to drive up it's dwindling numbers, from the HSU website:Looking to the FutureThe California State University has asked HSU to conduct a self-study, including an academic and a business plan, to become designated the state’s third polytechnic university. This momentous opportunity reflects on HSU’s excellence. As a polytechnic, HSU would be able to leverage its strengths and help meet important needs for the North Coast and California.
Why Humboldt and Why Now?A polytechnic university in the northern part of the state would help California provide access to high-demand programs, while improving education and career opportunities on the North Coast. Graduates from STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and applied sciences like health and agriculture are in high demand, as are graduates with hands-on experience, an education grounded in the liberal arts, and a strong understanding of sustainability.
California and the nation are facing a huge workforce need that will only grow over the next 10 years. With the CSU’s existing Polytechnics impacted, and HSU under-enrolled, this designation would allow us to provide access to the education that students and employers alike are seeking. 

These are some of the additional factors the Cal States may be looking at for fall 2021 applicants. Nothing has been set in stone as yet, and we await updates in July/August.

​COVID-19’s Impact on UC Admissions Now and Later May 5, 2020
 
 
Current College Students, Current High School Students, Freshman Applicant, Transfer Applicant I’m not going to talk about enrollment/admission requirements but, instead, want to focus on the broader impact of group decision-making due to COVID-19 and how that affects admitted students and prospective freshman and transfer applicants.
 
Background I sat through a UC presentation about transfer enrollment management today (May 5, 2020; and a question about whether current applicants could defer enrollment came up (the short answer is they can try and it’s reviewed on a case-by-case basis; some campuses have technical limitations where the system cannot actually keep the students on record past a year and you may have better luck asking for a one-quarter or two-quarter deferment than a one-year deferment). As one of the presenters answered the question, I realized that the current situation (many campuses seem to be under the enrollment target, as indicated by some early waitlist decisions) will likely mess up future admission cycles (students who are not enrolling in colleges now, and there are MANY, will likely come back and reapply in the future). The spillover may make the upcoming admission cycle(s) really competitive due to overcrowding (besides the spillover, I’m also concerned that the UCs may ask the state for an exception to cut back on enrollment due to the massive revenue loss caused by COVID-19, which would exacerbate the situation).
 
Advice for Admitted Students If you are wavering about whether to start college this fall, you should go. It’s possible that the offer you have will be the best one you get within the next couple years. If you have circumstances that prevent you from attending college this fall, try your best to get deferred enrollment. Develop a plan to enumerate your non-college options (such as remote internship or work) if deferment is not possible, and be prepared for tough competition when you reapply.
 
Advice for Future Applicants For students who are applying next year, brace for stiff competition. A mix of suspended admission requirements with a potentially much-larger-than-usual applicant pool is a recipe for disaster. Make sure you focus on academic preparation (don’t stress about extracurricular activities, no one expects you to work around a situation that our government can barely manage) and do whatever is necessary to strengthen your academic qualifications (maybe try to take classes for letter grades if you can and/or enroll in additional courses wherever possible). I know you didn’t sign up for this, but your ability to prepare for and deal with the fallout will ensure your future success.

As with most things, the state of college sports is in flux. What we do know is that college seniors who play spring sports have been granted another year of eligibility, the NCAA has lifted some caps on D1 scholarships, and college sports are taking a financial hit from the loss of big revenue events, in particular March Madness. 
We also know that colleges will continue to have sports and that college coaches are sitting at home looking for eligible recruits. Without showcases and recruiting trips, it is more important than ever that high school students who wish to be recruited reach out to coaches. 
Here is what you can do:
Send coaches your recruiting video and  athletic resume 
Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center
Look for camp closures/opening throughout the summer - NCSA : https://www.ncsasports.org/coronavirus-sports/college-closures-coronavirus
Attend virtual campus visits and admission meetings
Ask to talk to current team members
Follow social media accounts for the athletic programs 

Here is a great article on the latest from Applerouth Tutoring :​College Board Postpones June SAT
This afternoon, the College Board announced that it will not be administering the SAT or SAT Subject tests on June 6th, due to the ongoing public safety risk posed by COVID-19. This latest decision marks the third consecutive SAT date postponed due to the virus, and will be particularly frustrating for students whose March and May testing dates were pushed to June.

In order to help students make up their testing dates, the College Board will be adding a September test, which means that students will have the ability to take one SAT every month from August straight through to December of 2020. They’ll be releasing more details in the coming weeks, including the exact date of the planned September test. In addition, the College Board is asking community partners, like schools and colleges, to offer additional space for these tests, so more students can take the SAT on these fall dates. They’re also considering adding an additional international SAT, but didn’t provide more details.

All of that, of course, assumes that the College Board will be able to administer tests in-person when August comes. In case quarantining procedures are still necessary in August, the College Board is “investing significant resources in developing a digital, remote testing option for all students,” much like the online AP exams. We can expect to hear more about that option if the August test is threatened by quarantine.

Students will be able to start registering in May for the fall tests, including the new September date; however, if you’re a student whose June registration was cancelled or a current Junior who hasn’t been able to take an SAT yet, you will be able to access the registration sooner. The College Board didn’t clarify what “sooner” means; the report indicated that College Board staff will be reaching out to students directly if they qualify for early registration.

If your June test date was cancelled, you can choose to transfer that registration to a future test or ask their Customer Service team for a refund.

As of Wednesday afternoon, ACT, Inc still plans to hold the June ACT in-person as scheduled. It’s possible that ACT, Inc will distinguish itself from the College Board and offer the June test online rather than postpone wholecloth, especially since it had already planned to administer the test online starting in September. As ACT news becomes available,  you can count on us to keep you informed.