I’ve already written about how the pandemic has changed distance learning and how parents have had to become more involved in their K-12 student’s education. But an issue that has really hit home for me, given my role as Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs as the University of Hawai’i Maui College, is the way college students learn — and how that might ultimately affect what program they decide to enroll in.
Traditional College Choices
Choosing the right program has always been a multi-faceted process for college students. With a few exceptions, almost every field of study can be found at a number of different institutions, each of which competes for the crème de la crème of the enrollment crop. Once accepted to a few different programs, the student must then decide which to attend, a choice that usually boils down to a few key factors, such as the overall quality of the education, location, and, of course, cost.
But COVID-19 has added some new factors to that decision mix, mainly because the future of college education is still so uncertain. Some universities have made announcements on how the fall 2020 semester will be conducted, only to change them multiple times over the last few months. Some colleges have announced they would be opening for in-person classes in the fall, only to change their minds and state that classes would be online only. Others are opting for shortened semesters, with traditional in-person instruction ending before Thanksgiving so that students don’t have to return after the holiday break.
Amid all the chaos, one truth remains clear: Students need to prepare for most, if not all, of their classes to be online — which may not be ideal. Every person learns differently, and some just aren’t suited for distance learning.
Questions Students Need to Ask Now
In addition to the usual questions a student should ask before enrolling in a college program, here are a few key ones that are particularly pertinent right now.
1. How many of the program courses listed in the school catalog are online vs. in person?
You should think of your school catalog as your contract with the school. If a particular course is needed for graduation, the school should take all available steps to ensure that the course is offered throughout the interim of your studies there. If you know you learn best in an in-person learning environment and the catalog states that more than half of your classes will be online, you might be better off taking a gap year or considering study at a different school.
Of course, these are (as I’m sure you’re tired of hearing) unprecedented times, when situations are liable to change at any given moment, meaning a class that’s offered in person today may very well go online-only tomorrow. But you may have recourse with the school if you run into problems having enough credits to graduate due to a change in curriculum, so keep the catalog until you have your diploma in hand.
2. Are my professors qualified to teach online?
Classes that do not have a practical component such as science labs are the most likely to move online without varying the curriculum all too much. But even if an instructor is renowned for their teaching methods, that doesn’t mean that their approach will translate to the digital space.
That said, online instruction isn’t a brand-new development in the university world, so many instructors are likely to have some experience in cyber classrooms. Check sites such as ratemyprofessor.com to see if there are any reviews about an instructor’s online performance, or ask the school’s program coordinator about how the school is handling instructor certification for online learning. Many institutions have special training in place to help ease instructors into the new digital learning environment.
3. What are the school’s policies regarding on-campus pandemic safety?
Some schools may require masks for in-person classes, while others may opt for social distancing. Find out what your school plans to require and decide whether you feel comfortable with that. Also ask how such policies will be enforced, in case there’s a situation where another student refuses to comply.
4. How will my tuition be affected if classes are cancelled or changed?
The cost of a college education is almost always a determining factor when a student is contemplating their choices. If you’ve been offered financial aid, verify whether the offer is final or just an estimate. Work-study programs may be particularly affected, so make sure that option is still open if you were relying on it to help make ends meet.
Tuition refund policies vary, so make sure you know the policies for your school — and get them in writing — in case your chosen program experiences an unseen upheaval. Ask the school’s program coordinator what happens if your required classes suddenly become unavailable or if the program ceases altogether.
If you’ve been accepted and offered financial aid but you’re now considering a gap year, ask whether the same financial aid package will be available when you come back or if you will need to reapply. Because so many families are experiencing economic uncertainty, you might also want to ask what happens if your family is unable to pay due to COVID-related circumstances.
As always, get answers to any of the above questions in writing. Just because a university employee assures you that your financial aid won’t change or your required classes will always be available doesn’t mean that they can foresee any possibility. When possible, get the highest supervisor in the department to write out what you’ve discussed. Having this agreement and the school catalog will help you build a case, should you need it down the road.