Of all the industries that have been permanently changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, one that has seen some of the most drastic changes is college admissions.
Standardized testing, previously one of the main factors in admissions, has been turned on its head since 2020.
One dramatic change is that College Board announced that the SAT will be transitioning to a fully digital format in 2024, and the current paper format will no longer be offered.
Beyond that, the most shocking change has been to see many colleges adopting a test-optional admissions process. This means the SAT and ACT, formerly considered essential for applicants to take, is no longer an absolute necessity for students seeking to gain college admission.
The change is so dramatic that 80 percent of U.S. colleges do not require applicants to submit standardized test scores. This change increases the importance of other aspects of the application, including extracurricular activities.
Another change in recent years is the increasing difficulty that students have in being admitted to the nation’s top universities. This is because population growth means more qualified students are applying to top-tier schools, but the number of people being accepted has not risen at the same level. There are also more international students vying for these positions than in the past. This means there is simply less room available at top schools like the Ivy League, even for the smartest graduates.
All this adds up to a potentially frustrating college admissions journey for many students, who are now relying of technology more often to guide them through this process.
With 455 students for each school counselor in the U.S., it’s hard to get the guidance young people need as they begin to research the next step in their education.
One emerging solution is apps that can take the place of a real-life college counselor are emerging that use Artificial Intelligence technology to guide young people and their families on this important journey.
One of these apps is The Pond, which was recently launched by Letitu Corporation, and can analyze extracurricular activities from tens of thousands of applications to provide suggestions for users that will increase their likelihood of admission.
The Pond uses AI to guide students through the entire admissions process — and helps them find the best colleges for them to attend. This is achieved by identifying key factors and proven strategies in today’s complex college admissions process, and its database includes every college in the United States. Other features include assessing students on their goals and aptitude, analyzing their best career choices, and even providing access to mentors and tutors students can connect with online throughout the process.
“The Pond is an example of how AI can serve a positive role in our society to help young people at a critical time in their life. It serves as a helpful tool throughout the journey as students are deciding their college futures,” said Letitu CEO Marco Dahun Lee. “We also offer parents the ability to view their student’s dashboard at The Pond, so these important life decisions can be a family process.”
To learn more about The Pond, visit: https://diveintothepond.com
