<p>I often see recommendations that a student really try to impress upon an Admissions Counselor how much they want to attend XYZ University. I'd like to ask, how exactly have people gone about this? Emails? Phone calls? Obviously a campus visit, and meeting with the counselor if they come to your area. But once you've done that, how do you follow up? Respond to their emails and click on the links they send? What else?</p>
<p>thanks in advance!</p>
<p>The ONLY communication you need to express is to register and take the guided tour. Expressing too much interest may affect your aid offer. Colleges offer financial aid to convince students to come to their school. If you convince then that you are coming by stalking the admissions office, why would they offer your financial aid if you are already coming?</p>
<p>That makes sense, but if I’m not concerned about financial aid (merit aid would be nice but is not expected at most of the schools my S will apply to), would the same advice still apply? Should he periodically send a question - when he has a real one - just to let the AC know he is thinking about the school?</p>
<p>Communicating with the admissions officer (if there are actual questions that need answering) would be appropriate before the application is filed. Once it’s filed, the application itself is enough to show the student’s interest. Also, once applications are in, the admissions officers have much too much to do to keep answering emails. Unless there is an urgent matter, leave them alone and let them do their jobs.</p>
<p>“Demonstrated interest” is an important admission factor for some schools, most commonly at small selective private schools.</p>
<p>See:
<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/research/PublicationsResources/Marketplace/Documents/RTPBrief_Factors.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nacacnet.org/research/PublicationsResources/Marketplace/Documents/RTPBrief_Factors.pdf</a></p>