S21 had a couple of interviews and they did not ask specifically about Covid, but did ask what did he do this summer.
S21 is just a regular kid doing the usual sports, part time job, hanging with friends. He didn’t start a company or non-profit or anything special.
The visit we just took was well worth it, even if it was just us walking around. One campus said in its website that maps and self- guided tour brochures are available in the admissions office. The other school’s website simply said that there are no tour opportunities and campus is not open to visitors.
However, my D emailed her regional AO of that school and said she is excited to apply, and that we hope to visit the area. Asked if we would we be allowed to walk through campus at all (I had decided that, if not, we would just walk on the peripheral sidewalks bordering campus). The AO responded very enthusiastically that we were very welcomed to walk through campus grounds…that, in fact, maps, guides AND parking passes are available in the lobby of the admissions office. So it’s worth checking directly with someone at the the school even if it seems the campus may be closed to visitors. Also, even though we never signed into the school as visitors, I hope D will get credit for showing that interest. If it’s not too over-the top I even wonder if my D should send a photo of herself on campus (I wouldn’t even think of doing that except the AO Seems a VERY friendly and informal guy, writes with lots of exclamation points).
In our case, there were fewer students on both campuses than normal, but even masked and distanced, possible to get some feel for the types of students there, and the big question, whether D could see herself there. Of course, it can’t be comparable to a visit in a normal year but it’s so much more information than not visiting. On one campus, a student (masked and distanced) approached us and asked if we needed help (guess we looked a little lost standing there with our maps.) Turns out he is majoring in the same thing my D may be majoring in and he said he loves the school, the profs In the dept are the greatest, etc. My D is sold on the campus/town atmosphere, the students look down-to-earth and a comfortable fit for her. I would have no reservations about her finding a place in this school. On the other hand, the other campus is beautiful too, but the campus and vibe left us both with question marks…All valuable information.
A couple of weeks ago my H took my D to Denison, a school that I thought might check all the boxes for her. I thought she might love it. She liked it, but something didn’t click 100% and she was a little underwhelmed. Not sure about the student vibe. Also thought the pretty little town (that I thought she’d take to) was too small and isolated-feeling. It will stay on the list, but will not be considered for ED. By what she found at Denison, we were able to scratch the more-remote Kenyon off the list. We now know she optimally wants a larger small town or closer suburb of a city.
It’s true that the Info that can be gleaned by visiting is limited but can corroborate (or not) what is on school websites and virtual events, and what is said here on CC, Niche, Princeton Review, etc. as a piece of the puzzle.
@inthegarden Thank you so much for sharing and your spot-on assessment of what is supposedly expected of our kids (#8906). I don’t believe most 17 yr olds, let alone adults, are capable of such deep reflection, nor should they need to do that at age 17 just to get into college.
We have 100% “normal” kids. One watches Rick and Morty (which I call Mork and Mindy, showing my age!) in their free time. Neither has a social life (same issue you noted), and one just trying to be socially conscious. One who has social anxiety now has it 10 fold after being isolated. I’d like to say they started a hydroponic garden or something, but first I’d have to understand what it was! And, I had grand thoughts of taking up a new hobby, like crocheting (though I suppose it would have to be crocheting masks with germ resistant yarn to matter, lol) and never did.
Anyway, if some AO wants profound reflections on how covid changed somebody’s life for the better, they’re not getting it from my kids! And I’m 100% ok with them attending a “safety” school, and paying much less $, and I’m sure they would be too once they got there (and could actually live a normal life, ie, post covid!).
We just took a guided walking campus tour of University of Texas IN PERSON! I just happened to check their site and they started back in person tours last week. It was basically a private tour for us and another mom with her daughter. It was great because we could ask all the questions we wanted and it wasn’t like most cattle tours of colleges with 50 people in a herd. So few kids on campus though; made me sad. Without the hoardes of students milling around, I noticed the campus actually has a lot of trees. Haha!
Jeff Selingo is answering questions about admissions on another part of college confidential. His new book and video info sessions have been mentioned on here, and he answers a lot of questions we parents of a senior have. In fact, you will see a lot of people from this forum asking questions! 
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/2195829-jeff-selingo-reveals-who-gets-in-and-why-ask-him-anything-p1.html
A little update on my D. She applied to 4 safeties and has been accepted at U of Arizona. She is still waiting for her counselor to send the transcripts… U of Arizona just goes off of self reported classes/grades.
I thought she was done with CA essay, but she has once again decided to revise it. Sigh.
I’m still trying to convince her to ED to UChicago, but she isn’t ready to be bound to an acceptance. Sigh.
I’m so curious how many will apply ED this year. Definitely not for us with so much up in the air. Hoping to get a little bit of an edge with EA.
Hi All, My DD is racing to finish her common app and other supplemental essays. She started writing on Aug 1st. I guess we did not do our homework on how to write the essays and so she is still at it. She showed a couple of her drafts to a current college senior. She is having a hard time as she is very angular. Many of her extra curriculuar are on the same subject area. So, even if she writes about a different extra curriculuar it would still be the same subject area. she is applying to UCs, UT and one private. I would appreciate any suggestions. I also see people submitting and getting their admissions. How early can one submit to colleges? I thought the colleges started looking at them only after their deadline.
Some schools opened up admissions in July.
I’m a big fan of applying to a few safeties that have rolling admissions, so your DC can get some of the stress off by knowing they’re going somewhere. We live in Colorado, and my D applied to Montana State, U of NM, U of Arizona, and Arizona State a few weeks ago. I don’t think there was an essay for any of them, and they all offer nice merit aid. Super easy.
If you post your state, some basic stats, and type of school on here I’m sure some posters can give you great suggestions.
I am from CA. My daughter has UW 3.96 (one B+), STEM kid with multiple international awards. ACT 34 ( took it once just to see where she is. no chance to take it again). She will be applying to UCs, UT and T20 plus safeties. The safety list keeps changing lol. How should the essays be? I see some saying absolutely no reference to achievements, some say that you can in the last paragraph. Atleast I don’t have a clear sense of how they should be. Can the personal essay be about the ECs? Can multiple essays have the same theme?
Honestly, the “showing interest” requ
What do you think U of Arizona will change, if anything, about their merit aid packages? On their website, it says that information regarding the terms and conditions of merit aid is “coming soon”. 
Have you heard anything?
@worriedincal you might take a look at this website for some free info and advice on essays https://www.collegeessayguy.com/personal-statement
He has a list of what to avoid I believe. He also has UC essay answers tutorial 1 hour long.
Your D sounds great. I don’t think she is running tardy. We are in California too and S is STEM. My S is preparing to apply many places early action (November 1st deadline or thereabouts). He also has several on his list that are rolling admission, so I’d like to see him get those in sooner. I don’t think you can submit UC until 11/1. S is still working his big essay, but S did apply already to Montana State and Colorado School of Mines because they sent invitations for a short cut free application without the big essay. You might make sure your D is checking her email for freebies / easy apps since she took an exam.
BTW, we are not shooting T20 except 1 reach in regular decision, so others may have some different feedback on that.
Regarding UofA, my son applied to both UofA and ASU and was accepted within a week. Honors decisions will come later. He has a 4.0GPA (unweighted) and no SAT/ACT and received $35K per year for UofA and TBD for ASU. The ASU counselor said the merit range is $7500 - $15,500 and estimated with a 4.0 and all 16 competencies it would be the $15.5. He will apply to several UCs and SDSU and CPSLO. He is leaning towards staying in CA but the UofA offer is compelling to mom and dad. The problem his sister is a nursing student at ASU.
@LollieW congratulations to your son. Nice problems to have…
That’s great news! Congratulations! I like seeing a test optional student doing well in admissions!
We have done zero research about UofA, so I’m not a lot of help. Her acceptance said the merit awards including a 4 year total, so I assume they’re committing to multi year aid.
fwiw, the aid was $35k a year for a 4.0 plus $1k which I think said dean scholarship. That extra $1k might be because she submitted test scores or maybe female in STEM.
ETA: I think this is the current terms and conditions: https://financialaid.arizona.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/2021-2022-terms-and-conditions
LOL My S21 only has 4 on his list and gets annoyed when I suggest others to consider.
I hate that article about kids having to tell some great story about how they rose to the challenge of the pandemic. It’s definitely counter to everything else I’ve read and S21 will not answer that question. He did mostly hang out with friends via video games but also babysat a lot for one family when his camp counselor job got cancelled. And helped a neighbor with some home improvement projects.
@amsunshine scroll down to non resident Arizona award. 35K a year is the top non resident tuition award based purely on GPA, NO test score at all. https://financialaid.arizona.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/incoming-transfer
Edit. See the link was already posted
Well…the great news is she had no problems getting into the ACT site. Kids went in with their mask on.
The not so great news is despite having her traditional high protein test day breakfast, the zip lock bag ready with ID, ticket, charged calculator, 2 sharped pencils, polymer eraser and bottle of water, and bottle of ADHD meds placed next to her breakfast plate, she forgets to take her med! URG!!!
This is discovered as we are sitting in the car waiting for the school doors to be opened. . A look of panic flashes over her face. Some quick talking her down and going over all her mental strengths. Luckily I have a rubber band in the car, slip in on her wrist and tell her to pop it every time her mind wanders. Hoping this does the trick.
Be Kind ACT GODS!!! Wishing all the kids taking test to day great Vibes.