COVID-19 Effects: What Will Change for 2020-2021 UG Admissions?

Person filling out an online form with 'Apply Online' on the screen, reflecting changes in UG admissions due to COVID-19 – The Red Pen

The coronavirus pandemic has severely disrupted students’ schedules and plans, especially those looking to apply in the upcoming undergraduate admissions cycle. Students are left wondering how it will pan out, what alternatives exist to learn about colleges and the status of standardised tests. Here is some clarity on how the application process has changed:  1) […]

COVID-19 Effects: Updates From Boarding Schools

Female student wearing a mask and school uniform outside a boarding school during COVID-19, by The Red Pen

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the lives of students currently enrolled in a boarding school while raising questions for those who were considering a switch in the near future. When the pandemic hit, boarding schools in different countries did their best to ensure the safety of their students. As governments announced the closure of […]

COVID-19 Effect: FAQs for Current Students

COVID-19 Effect: FAQs for Current Students | The Red Pen

Applicants who have secured admits and are scheduled to start classes this fall are wondering how the current COVID-19 pandemic affects their education. Read on for some frequently asked questions: I have an admit, but what do I do if the campus doesn’t allow on-campus classes this fall? If your university decides not to allow […]

COVID-19 Effects: Advanced Placement Exams

COVID-19 Effects: Advanced Placement Exams | The Red Pen

In what is truly an unprecedented situation, this year, several international boards have cancelled their end-of-year examinations. However, for students preparing for the Advanced Placement exams (AP), there is some good news. In light of the current pandemic, The College Board surveyed 18,000 students to discern whether they should offer online testing and the answer […]

COVID-19 Effects: Extended MBA Deadlines and New Rounds

Blue sand flowing in an hourglass, reflecting the concept of time and extended deadlines in MBA applications – COVID-19 Effects: Extended MBA Deadlines and New Rounds | The Red Pen

The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to a great deal of uncertainty among college administration as well as students and future applicants. Given all the ambiguity, many business schools have extended their deadlines or have added new admissions rounds for this admissions cycle. Below is a list of business schools that have recently announced these […]

COVID-19 Effects: How to Use Your Time Productively… Online! (Updating)

COVID-19 Effects: How to Use Your Time Productively… Online! | The Red Pen

Summer is just around the corner and every year, students take advantage of this time to build their profile. Students do this by enrolling in summer programmes, travelling, engaging in passion projects, assisting in community projects and more. However, this year, we are faced with a pandemic, which requires us to rethink our plans. While […]

COVID-19 Effects: What Colleges Don’t Require the SAT for 2021

Close-up of student preparing college paperwork without SAT requirement for 2021 admissions – The Red Pen

In mid-March 2020, the WHO classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, leading to school and college closures everywhere. While students are figuring out how to navigate this enforced ‘downtime’, aspiring college students are left wondering how they will appear for their standardised tests in time for college applications. As of now, College Board has cancelled the […]

COVID-19 Effects: Grade 11 Focus on These 6 Activities

COVID-19 Effects: Grade 11 Focus on These 6 Activities | The Red Pen

For students in grade 11, the current situation can be very daunting. Standardised tests are being cancelled, nobody knows when schools will reopen and there are so many uncertainties regarding college admissions. This is certainly very stressful, but you can also use this time wisely and productively to get a head start and strategise your […]

COVID-19 Effects: Bittersweet Application Results

Open book showing the word 'Confused' and a complicated maze illustration, symbolizing confusion in the application process – COVID-19 Effects: Bittersweet Application Results | The Red Pen

March is application results month. It is normally a time for celebration and excitement around future studies abroad. This year, in 2020, with the global COVID-19  pandemic outbreak, application results are causing anxiety about the future among some families. Will I be able to go abroad to study? Should I go abroad to study? How […]

5 Steps to Creating a Great College List for US Undergraduate Admissions

5 Steps to Creating a Great College List for US Admissions | The Red Pen

A crucial step in your journey to college in the US is creating an effective list of colleges to which you want to apply. Considering there are 2,000 universities in the US offering undergraduate courses, how do you narrow down your choice? Here are five things to keep in mind as you craft your US […]