Hello. So, two things regarding this whole situation. Firstly, I am hoping to go into a computer science major. I am part of the class of 2021. Right now I planned a lot of hackathons or coding competitions and ways of improving my city. Right now those are all cancelled as a result of the coronavirus. Also, I planned a lot of community service as well, but the events I was planning to do got cancelled as well. Would colleges be understanding of this entire situation when I apply with a less impressive application due to many of the events I planned to do, being cancelled? Also, as an Asian American, would that have an impact (due to the large amount of anger towards China and all since it is believed the virus originated there).
Not having certain ECs might hurt your application a little bit but you can’t worry about what you can’t control. Maybe you can “beef up” your app with ECs this summer or early fall?
You second question about China backlash is a non-issue. Most colleges welcome international students, Asian Americans, and having a diverse student body is important to them. The origin of the coronavirus has nothing to do with you and what you have to offer the college as an individual.
Remember that all other high school students are being similarly impacted, so it’s not like everyone else is doing a lot. See if you can be creative to do something meaningful.
College admissions officers are smarter than the dolts who blame “all Chinese people”.
Everyone is in the same boat.
That said, there are still ways to do things for your community. There is a group of students at our local HS that is setting up free virtual tutoring for elementary school kids. They are also partnering with local charities.
Get creative.
Your second part of your question is sad to me to think that. Please don’t.
As for the first part, my son was planning a tech conference at Michigan. The one last year was great. They did not give up yet. They are looking into various ways to hold it virtually. The demand is there on a quick survey they sent out.
I think creative solutions will standout in an upcoming college application personally. I also think the Corona Virus is going to be a hot topic in essays so I wouldn’t over play it but having a solution to a problem is key. Even if the solution doesn’t pan out.
If you can’t pull it off you can explain the planning that went into it to show your leadership abilities.
Ok thank you for clearing this up and for the advice. Just started getting worried about future impacts of this whole ordeal. Thank you
Deep breaths. This is a difficult time for everyone and everyone’s plans have been turned on their heads. A way to stand out is to look at how you are making lemonade out of lemons. How have your thoughts, plans, dreams, goals changed since COVID 19 and what are you doing to make that happen. What do you plan to do next?
Don’t focus on what you can’t do, what you have missed out on or lost, refocus on what you can do, how you are shifting with the shifting times, and what you can do to make a difference.
I agree with the others. If there’s a way for you to pivot and help people in your community, I think that would be a very good use of your time. Deliver groceries for older people? Come up with a way to organize something for the greater good. Is there an app idea that would help in this way since you are a CS person?
Set up and use https://zoom.us/
Everyone else is. Hold your program. Send out emails. Offer to tutor someone. Kids are board. Put it online and invite the world…
I can go on…
Make a difference ?