[Snorlax94]

The implications will cascade into Fall 2021 admits too.
At Harvard, most of the Fall 2020 types will likely enroll eventually, so this could make admissions into the Fall2021 class VERY difficult.
At less selective schools the return rates will be less certain, so lower enrollments from COVID will create budget uncertainty in 2020-2021 and admission decisions complexity for at least a few academic years.

Sadly, I think this cascades farther than 2021.

Already, during recessions, people stay in school longer. Similarly, people may choose to take 5th years just to get the education they felt they were missing due to the pandemic, plus, to wait out the recession.

Class of '21 people may stick around 'til 22 or '23.
Class of '24 people may take a gap year, or they may take an extra year and graduate in 5.

I know a parent of a high school senior who is already planning to apply only to reach schools, and if she fails, she plans to take a gap year and re-apply after a 5th high-school year.

I could see college admissions cascading impacts for 2-5 years.

If will make hard-to-get-into schools even harder. It will increase the gap between the haves (who can afford a 5th year, or afford quality virtual instruction) and the have-nots.

[Snorlax94]

The implications will cascade into Fall 2021 admits too.
At Harvard, most of the Fall 2020 types will likely enroll eventually, so this could make admissions into the Fall2021 class VERY difficult.
At less selective schools the return rates will be less certain, so lower enrollments from COVID will create budget uncertainty in 2020-2021 and admission decisions complexity for at least a few academic years.

Sadly, I think this cascades farther than 2021.

Already, during recessions, people stay in school longer. Similarly, people may choose to take 5th years just to get the education they felt they were missing due to the pandemic, plus, to wait out the recession.

Class of '21 people may stick around 'til 22 or '23.
Class of '24 people may take a gap year, or they may take an extra year and graduate in 5.

I know a parent of a high school senior who is already planning to apply only to reach schools, and if she fails, she plans to take a gap year and re-apply after a 5th high-school year.

I could see college admissions cascading impacts for 2-5 years.

If will make hard-to-get-into schools even harder. It will increase the gap between the haves (who can afford a 5th year, or afford quality virtual instruction) and the have-nots.