College Admissions Insights During Pandemic

Sal Khan hosts a live stream discussing the impact of COVID-19 on education with guest Stu Schmill, Dean of Admissions at MIT. They explore how the pandemic has changed educational practices and college admissions, emphasizing the importance of keeping students' interests at the center of decisions. The conversation also touches on the future of education, the role of standardized tests, and the need for students to focus on authentic interests rather than perfect applications.

What is the primary reason Khan Academy can continue its operations during the pandemic?

• Advertising revenue

• Increased user subscriptions

• Philanthropic donations

• Government funding

What was a key focus for MIT when making decisions during the pandemic?

• Increasing research output

• Expanding campus facilities

• Keeping students at the center of decisions

• Reducing operational costs

How has the University of California system responded to standardized testing during the pandemic?

• Increased testing requirements

• Made SAT and ACT optional

• Introduced new standardized tests

• Eliminated all testing requirements

What is MIT's stance on the role of standardized tests in admissions?

• They are the sole factor in admissions decisions

• They are one of many inputs considered

• They are not considered at all

• They are only used for international students

What does MIT look for in applicants besides academic achievements?

• Number of extracurricular activities

• Passion and alignment with MIT's mission

• Perfect standardized test scores

• Attendance at prestigious high schools

How does MIT ensure the authenticity of a student's application?

• By conducting multiple interviews

• By comparing essays with teacher recommendations

• By requiring a video submission

• By checking social media profiles

What advice does Stu Schmill give to students regarding the college admissions process?

• Be authentic and focus on personal growth

• Prioritize standardized test preparation

• Focus on becoming the perfect applicant

• Engage in as many activities as possible

What is a potential long-term change in education due to the pandemic?

• Complete elimination of in-person classes

• Standardized testing becoming mandatory

• Increased focus on hybrid learning models

• Reduction in the number of universities

What does Stu Schmill hope will remain a priority post-pandemic?

• Maximizing student enrollment

• Focusing on student well-being and community

• Increasing tuition fees

• Expanding campus infrastructure

What is a key takeaway from the discussion about college admissions?

• Students should focus on being authentic

• Admissions are solely based on test scores

• Extracurricular activities are not important

• Only students from top schools are admitted