Choosing The Right College [Video] Making Your College Decision During a Pandemic Written by Emily Toffelmireon April 30th, 2020 I came to College Coach after working for many years in college admissions and high school counseling. As a school counselor, I assisted students in the college application process and wrote hundreds of letters of recommendation, while also helping them and their families cope with any emotional, social, and academic concerns throughout the year. I transitioned from the high school setting to the admissions office when I joined the University of Southern California as an assistant director, reading freshmen and transfer applications and collaborating on admission decisions for over 150 majors, including the liberal arts, engineering, business, cinema, and the fine and performing arts. I subsequently took on the role of senior assistant director in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where I coordinated the division's Mork, Stamps, Trustee, Presidential and Dean's merit scholarship selection process, as well as recruitment publications and outreach, and traveled everywhere from Honolulu to Miami presenting to and interviewing hundreds of applicants each year. Learn More About Emily choosing the right college, coronavirus, covid-19, deciding on a college, Choosing where to go to college is already a daunting decision. But it in a pandemic, the process feels especially fraught and complicated, particularly if a student has never had the chance to visit some of their prospective colleges. Former University of Pennsylvania admissions officer, Beth Heaton, and former Reed College admissions officer, Ian Fisher, are here to offer their tips on how students can educate themselves about their options—virtually. For more, visit our full list of COVID-19 resources. Related Resources Read | Posted on October 14th, 2025 Career outcomes as a college search factor Read | Posted on April 11th, 2025 The Basics of First-Year Study Abroad Programs Read | Posted on December 10th, 2024 Navigating Medical School Applications: The Three Types of Letters Applicants Send
