What is Demonstrated Interest for College Admissions and Do You Need to Show it?

What is demonstrated interest?

Demonstrated interest is a student showing enthusiasm and interest for a particular college in different areas during the application process. What demonstrated interest isn’t: Having to wear the college sweatshirt on the tour!

Do colleges care about demonstrated interest?

The answer to this question is that some do and some don’t. For colleges that do track demonstrated interest, it can vary from moderate to considerable importance. These schools are often motivated by a focus on their yield, meaning that applicants who are more engaged with a particular college during the application process are more likely to enroll if accepted. This article article from the Atlantic describes the detailed way some colleges track students’ interest.

How should students show demonstrated interest?

1. Pick a dedicated email address to use for your college applications and research. 

Use this email to sign up for college tours and information sessions so that colleges can easily track your interest. It is also a good idea to use this email address for signing up for standardized tests so you have everything in one place.

2. As you construct your college list, check to see if each college tracks demonstrated interest.

If they do, make a list of the colleges that track interest and pay particular attention to your interaction with them during the admissions process.

3. Sign up for campus tours and information sessions.

The best way to learn about a campus is to visit. While you are there, try to attend both a tour and an information session. While tours and information sessions are important at every college, for schools that track interest, make sure to sign in at the visitors’ center so they have a record of your attendance. If visiting is not possible, sign up for virtual tours and information sessions.

4. Stop by the college booth at a college fair.

If you talk to a representative from a college that you are particularly interested in, email them afterward to thank them for taking the time to talk to you and express your interest in the college. This is a good idea for any school whether they track demonstrated interest or not.

5. Open emails that you receive from colleges that track demonstrated interest.

Read the emails and click through to the websites. As discussed, colleges can track how much you engage with emails and how much time you spend on the website. You don’t have to overdo it but spend time reading the information they send you.

6. Follow the college on social media.

Following different college accounts is a great way to learn about different aspects of the school and show demonstrated interest. Engage with the accounts by liking specific posts.

7. Spend time researching on the college’s website.

Look into majors that are of interest to you. You can also learn a lot about different campus organizations and aspects of student life, such as dining and residence options. 

8. Applying early is a great way to demonstrate interest to any college.

If a particular college is your first choice and offers an option to apply Early Decision or Early Action, try to apply early. Reminder: Early Decision is a binding commitment to attend that college if admitted, so you can only apply to one school Early Decision. On the other hand, Early Action is not binding so students can usually apply to more than one school Early Action.

9. Schedule interviews with admissions personnel or alumni.

If a college offers the option of having an interview, schedule one. Usually colleges say that it will not be counted in the admissions decision, but it is another way for the admissions officers to get to know you and gage your interest. However, not all applicants are offered interviews, and if you are not offered one, do not be concerned, it will not affect you negatively. If you do have an interview, follow up with an email thanking the person for meeting with you.

10. Use the supplemental essays on applications wisely.

Often a college will ask an applicant to write a short supplemental essay on why they want to attend that particular school. This is a great opportunity to show why you are interested in a college. Be specific in your answers to this question and show why you think that college will be a good fit for your academic and extracurricular interests. Remember the admissions committee wants to see both what you will bring to the school and what programs you will use at the college.

If you have questions about demonstrated interest or about college applications,

visit www.excelsioradmissions.comExcelsioradmissions.com or click here to schedule a free 30 minute consultation.