<p>Yes, I really do think Brown seeks out those few very special applicants who check their portal with optimum frequency. It’s like a hook or a tip.</p>
<p>“Look at this kid’s portal checking history! It’s perfect - he’s clearly interested in attending, but not too obsessive. He’s the ideal Brown student! Send him a likely letter now before Harvard snatches him up.” </p>
<p>Sorry for the sarcasm. They’ll gauge your interest and fit by your essays and the rest of your application, not by how often you check your portal. With 30,000 plus application, do you really think Brown would have time for that? or care?</p>
<p>Here are some old threads regarding level of interest: <a href=“"Level of Applicant's Interest" now recorded in 05-06 Common Data Sets - #33 by Papa_Chicken - Parents Forum - College Confidential Forums”>"Level of Applicant's Interest" now recorded in 05-06 Common Data Sets - #33 by Papa_Chicken - Parents Forum - College Confidential Forums;
<p>“Why Brown” essay was very important to them. And this is where an applicant demonstrates their level of interest…by researching Brown & figuring out how they fit. In fact when I asked if “level of interest” could also be demonstrated by visiting, the admissions officer noted that they don’t even keep track of who visits (as mentioned in posts above), and that wouldn’t be fair anyway because the practice would favor those that could afford to visit.</p>
<p>So, I have been thinking all along about the tactical demonstrations of “level of interest”, like visits & contacts, not fulling grasping that for some colleges, like Brown, interest can be (perhaps more appropriately) expressed as part of the application</p>
<p><a href=“Showing Interest in Brown - #5 by fireandrain - Brown University - College Confidential Forums”>Showing Interest in Brown - #5 by fireandrain - Brown University - College Confidential Forums;
<p>It is true that Brown does not track interest by keeping records on who visits the campus. So Uroogla is correct there. But it is true that in the common data form Brown completes, interest is highly rated.</p>
<p>By interest, I think Brown means two things.</p>
<p>First, it hopes to glean from your essays that your interest in going to Brown is sincere. So the more specific and personal your essays are, the better. If you talk to a professor, mention that in your essay (i.e., saying something like “I spoke to Kurt Teichert of the environmental studies department and learned that the way the department uses the local community for research fits the type of efforts I do now in HS and want to do when I get to Brown” – and be even more specific than that). In other words – do a lot of research, get to know about Brown more than just the superficial “I like the new curriculum because I never have to take French again” and convey that in your essays – that shows interest.</p>
<p>Second, Brown is looking for fit. For example, because there is no core curriculum or distribution requirements, students have to be self-reliant and active in pursuing academics. Brown isn’t for everyone, and part of your job is to convince them that you can succeed there – and contribute to and enrich the community.</p>
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It’s just so tempting to look for a glimmer of hope</p>
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