How does the committee consider the PhD admission application of students who got affected by COVID-19?

[thephukao]

I am in doubt about applying for Ph.D. biomedical engineering programs. As a non-local student who got affected by COVID-19 and other uncomfortable situations in Hong Kong, I have spent my undergraduate life with 1 uncompleted semester and 3 semesters (at least) in online education. I realize that my life is totally disrupted. I have to challenge myself again in another way that might equivalent to studying on campus and make my dream come true. I have chosen to pay attention more to doing research in my hometown's university and fieldwork in a hospital.

Although I enjoy studying independently, I am not sure that my decision will satisfy the Ph.D. admission committee (especially in the US, UK, Australia, and Europe zone) or not. Do you guys have any idea or suggestion for students who spent 2/3 undergrad life with new normal life like this? Thanks! 

Edited January 1, 2021 by thephukao

[PsyDuck90]

Each university is different, but literally the entire world was (and is) severely impacted by the pandemic, so your circumstances are probably more normative than you realize. The US and UK have had a particularly difficult time with the pandemic, especially given the general political climate in the US and the new strain recently discovered in the UK. 

[thephukao]

2 minutes ago, PsyDuck90 said:

Each university is different, but literally the entire world was (and is) severely impacted by the pandemic, so your circumstances are probably more normative than you realize. The US and UK have had a particularly difficult time with the pandemic, especially given the general political climate in the US and the new strain recently discovered in the UK. 

I got it. I think it would be a great challenge for the committee to consider our application too. I am not quite worried about my decision in university life (because it has happened and I can't go back to edit) However, I think applying to graduate school is an exceptional case that we should observe. We had used to consider GPA and personal experiences to judge someone for Ph.D. seats. Under the uncertain circumstance, how we can prepare ourselves for graduate school. I think it might be a good idea to know some hint of the admission under this situation. 

Thanks for your sharing! Your words will make many peoples feel better.