Can anyone share how to demonstrate interest at UF? Beside the obvious campus tours, emailing, mailing list, college fair and open house, what are other ways. How does UF keep track of interest? The common data set interest is considered. How do they know I did this when they read my application?
A few things that I have heard, all anecdotal but they seem to make sense. First, go on the official tour. You have to sign up and they track it. How much does this help? Unknown but it can’t hurt. Second, spend time on your application. I have heard that they can see how much time you spend on the online application and if you spent significant time working to make it perfect vs. filling it out in 10 minutes and copy/pasting an essay you wrote for Vanderbilt. They can tell the difference. Last, again just one guy’s opinion, say in your application, somewhere, that UF is your top choice and that you want to be a Gator.
I have no idea if regularly contacting admissions would help or hurt. Also, no amount of interest will help you if your application isn’t competitive. Interest won’t get you into Harvard either. Good luck.