Applying to Universities is Even Harder Still

As the deadline for Common Application and UCAS approaches, applicants, composed of mainly G12 and gap year students, struggle to fulfil their applications due to the limitations of the pandemic.

SAT cancellations in Jakarta due to PPKM caused students to reschedule their examinations for the fall dates - which fall in September, October and December. Yet should another cancellation occur, universities have made these tests optional for application. The College Board has announced that new programs such as digital exams for SAT would be made available soon. Other proficiency tests, such as TOPIK, HSK, TOEFL, IELTS are proceeding as normal.

In 2021, UCAS announced the Adjustment Policy, wherein students will be able change tracks should their A-Level results exceed their predicted grades. They may receive offers into new courses and universities that may not have crossed their minds during December’s application. Other than the change in policies, most of the general application requirements have not been changed in spite of the setbacks the pandemic caused. Other universities, such as Australia National University, plan to make offers based on Year 11 results.

The UK government has also announced that IGCSEs and A-Levels are due to return for the May/June 2022 examinations. However, if another COVID wave ensues during the winter, there is a possibility that it will be replaced with NEA (Non-Exam Assessment).

In terms of visa and entry permits, many countries have been restricting visas and prohibiting entry due to the pandemic. As other countries list Indonesia as a country with novel COVID strains, there are many restrictions on visiting foreign countries. For example, foreign nationals travelling from Indonesia are prohibited from entering countries such as South Korea and the United Kingdom, which makes it difficult for Indonesian students to enter, unless they have permanent residency or have family residing in the country. Other countries, such as Canada and USA usually require a working visa, study permit and a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

As shown by the new test-taking methods being developed to accommodate online learning, alongside new policies shifted to accommodate prospective students, universities are making an effort to simplify the application process in consideration of the global pandemic.