This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Colleges Extend Priority Deadlines with Arrival of Hurricane Sandy

Eastern US colleges and universities extend Early Action, Early Decision & Priority deadlines with arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

As Hurricane Sandy makes its way up the eastern seaboard, many colleges and universities have closed up campus in preparation to wait out the storm.  It makes practical and logical sense that schools would close in the name of safety, but there are tens of thousands of high school seniors across the country making final touches on their college applications in anticipation of the November 1 deadline for Early Action, Early Decision, and Priority applications. 

Many colleges have issued notices that they will be closed for the first part of the week.  Some have extended this deadline with a new date, while others (mostly the Ivies) have made the announcement of their willingness to be "flexible" on the deadline in the face of the impending storm. 

This may be sounding familiar to some....this happened last year too.  In November 2011, the New York Times reported on priority application deadline extensions after a freak snowstorm last year wreaked havoc on the Ealy Action and Early Decison timetable.  Many were left without power and/or access to the online applications.  Further, high school counselors were unable to postmark their recommendations and transcripts, both neccesary to complete a prospective student's application.

Find out what's happening in Danvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One might think that prospective 2013 college freshman would heed last year's experience as a lesson learned for timely application submissions. Not so.  One student from College Confidential's application extension forum posted, "OMGOMGOMG. THANK YOU U Chicago. I can't even describe how happy I am." 

Another student reported to Inklings, “I’m really appreciative that some schools have extended their deadlines,” said Daniel Ciotoli ’13, who is applying to a school that granted an extension. “However, to be honest I should have gotten my applications done way before the deadlines because working up to the last minute has caused a lot of unnecessary stress.”

Find out what's happening in Danvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Procrastinating seniors may welcome the application reprieve, but there will be complications associated with the extended deadlines.  Be assured, once colleges go off the grid, there willl be post-storm system delays, efficiency voids, and processing hiccups. For example, as I write, millions of people are without power, and the storm surge is rising across many states.  In fact, according to a tweet by Michael Szarek, of College Counseling for the Rest of Us, all 55 New Jersey colleges and universities have closed down for Monday and/or Tuesday of this week.  And, the National Association for Admissions Counselors (NACAC) has postponed it's National College Fair and Performing Arts Colleges Fair, slated to begin on November 1 in Atlantic City. 

So, for the student who has already submitted a college application, and has not delayed in requesting October standardized test results, you can breathe easier.  For those students still working on your college apps due Nov. 1, get them in ASAP.  Keep in mind the potential, yet unknown, hurdles of the storm aftermath, and consider that the College Board and Educational Testing Service (where standardized testing scores are sent from) are both located back east.

This is what I know so far about revised deadlines, based on a list compiled by an East Coast College Admissions blogger and expert, Nancy Griesemer.  ALWAYS check with the institution itself, as I am not an official authority.


Beloit College: Students living in areas affected by the hurricane have until November 8 to assure their applications are submitted.

Bentley University: Early Decision and Early Action deadlines have been extended to November 5.

Boston College: Will be "flexible" with it's Early Action deadline.

Boston University: Early Decision deadline has been extended to Monday, November 5.

Brown University: Early Decision deadline has been extended to November 7.

College of William & Mary: Early Decision and spring transfer deadlines have been extended to November 5.

Columbia University: Early Decision deadline extended to Monday, November 5.

Cornell University: Early Decision deadline has been extended to midnight on Monday, November 5.

Dartmouth College: Flexible with the Early Decision deadline for all students who are impacted by this storm; contact the office if materials cannot be submitted by November 5.

Duke University: Early Decision deadline extended to Sunday, November
4. Note that the website has not been completely updated in some places.

Emory University: Early Decision deadline extended to Monday, November 5.

Fordham University: Early Action applications will be considered timely if received by November 8.

Harvard College: Will be "flexible" on Early Action deadline.

Lawrence University: Early Decision deadline extended to November 15.

Marist College: Early Decision deadline has been extended to Friday, November 9.

MIT: Will be "flexible" on Early Action deadline.

Northwestern University: For applicants living in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, the application deadline for early decision has been extended to midnight November 7.

Princeton University: Will be "flexible" on its Nov. 1 Early Action deadline.  Submit a brief explanation with your application, if you need to file late.

RPI: The Early Decision deadline has been extended to November 5; additional extensions will be announced as warranted.

SMU: The Early Action deadline has been extended to Thursday, November 8.

Stanford: Early Decision deadline has been extended to midnight on Monday, November 5 for students and high school personnel affected by the storm.

Tufts University: Early Decision deadline has been extended to November 7. 

University of Chicago: Early Action deadline has been extended. All materials due by 5 pm, Central Time, on Friday, November 9.

University of Maryland: The early application deadline will be extended; check with the website as specifics become available.

University of Pennsylvania: Early Decision deadline extended to Tuesday, November 6. Applications for financial aid can be submitted by November 15 to be evaluated for a package to be provided at the time of decision release.

University of Rochester: Extending Early Decision deadline to November 8 for students living in areas affected by the hurricane.

University of Virginia: The Early Action deadline is extended to midnight on Sunday, November 4.

University of Vermont: November 1 deadlines (early and spring) have been extended to November 5.

Villanova University: Early Action deadline extended to Thursday, November 8 for students directly impacted by the storm.

Washington & Lee University: Will be "flexible" on Early Action deadline. Submit a brief note to admissions@wlu.edu or a phone call to (540) 458-8710, outlining your circumstances ASAP.

Yale University: Single-Choice Early Action deadline extended to Monday, November 5.


These dates are subject to change based on the severity of the situation. Please check with individual websites for the most up-to-date information.

Questions about college applications, admissions, financial aid, and scholarships?  I can help.  Check out my website at www.thecollegegig.com.














































 

 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?