University of California will ease admissions requirements for the next two years due to coronavirus

The University of California (UC) announced measures Tuesday to ease admission requirements due to the coronavirus impacting schools and universities across the U.S.

The measures will include the suspension of letter grade requirements for academic classes taken in winter, spring or summer terms for 2020, according to an official statement from UC.

One of the most significant changes to the admission process is the suspension of standardized test requirements for students who are applying for their freshman semester in the fall of 2021, including suspending the requirement of the ACT or SAT score submissions.

Students will also not be penalized for missing the July 1 deadline to submit transcripts.

UC said these changes would not lower the bar for admission standards, but provide flexibility for students to meet registration, deposit and transcript deadlines.

The university will also work with admitted students to adjust financial aid packages if circumstances have recently changed.

In the statement, UC President Janet Napolitano noted that disruptions caused by the pandemic would not pose a threat to the future education of students applying to the school.

“The COVID-19 outbreak is a disaster of historic proportions disrupting every aspect of our lives, including education for high school students, among others,” Napolitano said. “The university’s flexibility at this crucial time will ensure prospective students aiming for UC get a full and fair shot — no matter their current challenges.”

UC will maintain the May 1 admission acceptance deadline for freshman and June 1 for transfer students, but said the campus would provide “maximum flexibility” if students require an extension.