by Brett E. Kennedy, Managing Director
As students make their commitments to colleges for Fall 2021, a new wrinkle has emerged in what is required. While many college have required proof of vaccinations for many years, The Chronicle of Higher Education has identified 336 campuses so far that will require students and, in some cases, employees to have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Across the nation, colleges both public and private have made the announcement with increasing frequency in the last few weeks.
The colleges vary widely in location, size, culture and personality. From American University to CalTech, from Berea College to the Berklee College of Music, from Clark Atlanta University to Cornell University, from Duke University to MIT, from Spelman College to Syracuse University, from the University of Maryland at College Park to the University of Oregon, from Wake Forest University to Wofford College, campus leaders had to balance concerns about public health against vaccine hesitancy. The campus leaders would argue that this requirement simply fits into the broader role making the campus environment healthy and safe for students.
For some parents and students, this requirement may be a concern. For other parents, having a requirement for COVID-19 vaccination may be a major plus factor. The question seems to turn on what you are seeking in a college and for every student that is different. Let me help you find that right place for you that reflects what you value.