冠状病毒可能给美国大学招生带来重大变化

The worldwide coronavirus pandemic is affecting nearly every area of modern life, and that includes higher education.

Many colleges and universities around the world have closed. Hundreds of schools in the United States have moved their classes on line. But that represents only a short-term change.

Now, higher education officials are starting to consider changes to the way they admit students. Some of these changes are likely to take effect when the traditional school year begins in the fall.

Robert Massa is a former admissions official from Johns Hopkins University and Dickinson College. He also teaches about higher education at the University of Southern California. Massa offered several predictions for the future of the college admissions process on the website, The Conversation.

Student may have more time to decide

Traditionally, high school students apply to several colleges or universities to improve their chances of getting accepted by one they like. Schools usually send out their acceptance and rejection¹ letters in the early spring. If they accept a student, schools usually expect an answer from the student saying whether or not they will study there by May 1.

But Massa notes that a growing number of schools are now waiting until June 1 for students to make their choice. Highly selective schools, such as the eight well-known private universities called the Ivy² League, get far more applicants³ than they can admit. So they, and other schools, create what is called a "wait list." This list includes all the students who have not been admitted but who officials still believe might make good candidates for their school.

Normally, if a university admits a student who decides to study at another school, students on the waitlist are offered admission based on their place on that list. But Massa points to a March opinion study by the Art & Science Group showing that as many as one fifth of American students would choose a less costly⁴ college over their first choice school. In addition, 35 percent said they would choose a college or university that is closer to their home. Massa suggests that these findings combined with uncertainty⁵ about the attendance of international students means more students on wait lists will likely be admitted.

Financial aid could change

The financial effects of the pandemic are something American colleges and universities are giving a lot of thought to, he said. Many worry that if the pandemic leads to an economic recession, as many experts predict, Americans will choose not to spend as much money on higher education.

So, Massa believes some schools will offer more financial aid to students in order to make their programs more appealing. Last year, the Department of Justice changed rules on how schools can compete over applicants. It decided⁶ that even if a student has signed an agreement with one school, that student can choose to attend a different school if the second school offers greater financial aid.

The country's possible economic troubles could also affect need-based financial aid such as the federal government's Pell grant program, Massa said. The amount of this kind of aid is mostly based on how much money a student's family earns in a year. If a student's parents get sick and cannot work, or lose their jobs either completely or temporarily, this may affect how much need-aid based aid the student will receive.

Massa predicts the final major change to the admissions process will mainly affect students who have not yet begun to apply. Most college counselors⁸ advise high schoolers to visit the colleges and universities they are considering in person. This includes meeting with the schools' financial aid and admissions officials.

However, this may not be a possibility with campuses closing. So more schools will likely offer virtual tours to students online.

No matter what changes do come, Massa noted⁹ that life will return to some level of normality in time. So, he urges students and their families to make their college decisions carefully.

Words in This Story

pandemic –n. the appearance of a disease that spreads quickly and widely around the world

apply –v. to formally ask to be admitted to a school, program or to get a job

selective –adj. involving choices of the best people for a certain purpose

uncertainty –n. a state of being doubtful or not sure

counselor⁷ –n. someone who offers advice

campus –n. the area around a university, college or school

virtual tours – n. a visit to a place that is entirely online

1 rejection   

n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

参考例句：

• He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
• The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。

2 ivy   

n.常青藤，常春藤

参考例句：

• Her wedding bouquet consisted of roses and ivy.她的婚礼花篮包括玫瑰和长春藤。
• The wall is covered all over with ivy.墙上爬满了常春藤。

3 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。

4 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

5 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 counselor   

n.顾问，法律顾问

参考例句：

• The counselor gave us some disinterested advice.顾问给了我们一些无私的忠告。
• Chinese commercial counselor's office in foreign countries.中国驻国外商务参赞处。

8 counselors   

n.顾问( counselor的名词复数 )；律师；（使馆等的）参赞；（协助学生解决问题的）指导老师

参考例句：

• Counselors began an inquiry into industrial needs. 顾问们开始调查工业方面的需要。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• We have experienced counselors available day and night. ) 这里有经验的法律顾问全天候值班。） 来自超越目标英语 第4册

9 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。