Uncertain Times Make Certain Action Even More Valuable: Navigating College Admissions in a Shifting Political Climate

Lately, the world of college admissions has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. From paused visa processing for international students to federal threats targeting the funding of elite universities, there is no shortage of speculation—or stress.

Families are understandably asking:

Is it going to be easier for domestic students now?

Should international applicants even bother?

Do test scores still matter?

Are some schools now too risky to apply to?

In short: the landscape feels shaky. But our advice has not changed.

Do not overreact. Do not underprepare. Stay the course.

We have been here before. During the early days of COVID, many colleges rolled out test-optional policies. Students (and even some counselors) quickly assumed that standardized testing no longer mattered. But students who did submit strong scores were admitted at higher rates, especially at selective institutions.

Why? Because admissions officers are still doing the same thing they have always done, trying to build the strongest, most dynamic incoming class possible. That means they will use every tool available and that includes test scores when they add value.

Fast forward to today: we are in a different kind of uncertainty, driven more by politics and global tensions than by a pandemic. But the lesson is the same.

What should students do right now?

• Build a strong, authentic application. Highlight your voice, your growth, and your unique story.

• Stay locked in at school. Your academic performance is still the cornerstone.

• Pursue meaningful extracurriculars. Substance over flash. Long-term impact over one-time accolades.

• Submit strong test scores. When they support your application, they are still a differentiator.

• Tune out the noise. There’s always speculation. Very little of it predicts how decisions get made.

The students who focus on what they can control - effort, character, contribution - are the ones who succeed. In uncertain times, action and planning matter more than ever. Essential College Coaches can help you take action and create the most advantageous strategic plan for admission.