Do checking the application portal often have any effect on your chances? I am talking specifically about a school I applied ED to, and another which I applied EA to.
Thanks
No. Constant checking of the portal is not going to increase your chances.
No.
Nope.
Uh uh…
college admissions officers would not fall for that trick.
An article a few years back noted that Lehigh used portal checking as a means to see the “level of applicant’s interest”, waitlisting an applicant who did not check the portal: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2013/04/06/Inside-the-admissions-process-at-Lehigh-University/stories/201304060155
Of course, applying ED shows interest in the strongest way possible, so that may not be much of a concern there. But for non-ED schools, you may want to check whether they use “level of applicant’s interest” (common data set section C7 or admissions tab on college’s entry on http://www.collegedata.com ). If so, occasional checking of the admissions portal may help there. Also, if you get email from the college, viewing the images may confirm to the college that you read it to add “interest” indications.
I saw that too @ucbalumnus , but I think that was case where the applicant had never once opened the portal.
Even so, they would ceratinly not track how many times you looked at it. It isn’t like they will be continually putting new info on your portal. You would just be wasting a lot of time for no benefit.
I’m with @Lindagaf on this one. If the college places importance on level of interest (which as @ucbalumnus correctly states, many do not), I think not checking a portal ever would be frown upon, but checking it hourly/daily versus a couple of times would seem to be a waste of time.
It depends on the definition of “often.” I think it is wise, for schools that track demonstrated interest, to check it initially to ensure your materials are in, and then periodically. Certainly not daily!