In the ever-changing world in which we live, life as we have known it has rapidly shifted due to a pandemic and a call to consciousness regarding equity and equality for all. In order to provide better opportunities and more access for college-bound students to apply to colleges and universities across the nation for the upcoming 2020-2021 application season, Harvard University (among others) has announced the temporary suspension of submitting standardized test scores as part of the application. 

After reading Laura Krantz and Deidre Fernandes’ article, Harvard Drops Standardized Test Requirement For 2021 published in the Boston Globe on June 15, 2020, I couldn’t help but think that the magnitude of this decision leads way to the importance of essay writing for college-bound students. Historically, more attention has been placed on how students perform academically and on their standardized test scores, placing the personal statement essay and supplemental essays in a lesser position.

Although crucial to the application, essays have not been given the same importance. But now that the test score requirement has been dropped, more space has been created to allow for essays to reveal more of the student’s identity and unique life story rather than being predominantly viewed as a number. More than ever, college-bound students should use the upcoming summer to really reflect upon what story they would like to tell so that when it is time to upload their final essay to Common App or Coalition, they can feel proud of what they have expressed through their writing. 

Every word counts…and here at Ivy & Quill, we are here to help!

By Marisa De Marco-Costanzo