Insider Tips for the week of August 10, 2020

Hundreds of college deans explain what they want to see from applicants in the COVID-19 era – The Washington Post writes about a statement signed by over 300 college deans about what they do — and do not — want to see in applicants for Fall 2021. The process is different this year due to COVID-19; take a minute to read and share with your student.

Navigating the college search process for 2021 grads – The class of 2021 is missing spring grades, ACT and SAT scores and the chance to take campus tours. Jeff Selingo shares expert advice on what to do. My favorite, “Use this time to do something that you haven’t had a chance to do before.”

5 college essays that worked – The admissions office at Johns Hopkins shares actual examples of well-written college essays. Even better, they include comments from the admission committee about how the essays helped them learn more about the students beyond the transcripts and lists of activities provided in their applications.

Schedule your admission interviews now – College Inside Track’s Susan Whalen explains how college admission interviews are more important than ever and shares 3 tips to make the most of them in this virtual environment.