<p>Okay, so I've always heard that on your application you're supposed to demonstrate interest in the school you're applying to, because if the chance that you'll enroll if admitted is higher, their yield rate goes up. I've even read sample essays of what not to say ("I really want to go to X university because I like the campus") vs. what to say ("I really want to go to X university because when I visited I sat in on So and So's class and really enjoyed it").</p>
<p>But now that I'm actually filling out the applications there's nowhere to put that. I haven't come across a single "Why X university?" essay yet. Is there somewhere we're supposed to put that in under the Common App that I'm missing, or did I just end up picking schools without that particular question?</p>
<p>I'm applying to Princeton, and it's my number one far and away, but there's no ED anymore, so I was wondering how to demonstrate interest when there's no part of the application ostensibly for that?</p>
<p>Princeton and the other super elites don't care about demonstrated interest; they assume that most of their applicants would attend if admitted.</p>
<p>Sometimes you have to work it in cleverly. For example, I turned my "What did you do during your past two summers?" essay for Princeton (where I'm no longer applying to, BTW) into a "why Princeton?" essay while still answering the prompt.</p>
<p>It seems to be rare these days that colleges ask you the direct questions, but it does happen. Instead, they're impressed if you can address concerns such as "demonstrating interest" in the essays they do give you.</p>
<p>For what it's worth, I'd much rather talk about my demonstrated interest in a college/university through a unique essay prompt than in a "why <college>" prompt.</college></p>
<p>EDIT: The above posters are also obviously correct. Princeton and the like don't care so much about demonstrated interest. I'd ASSUME (but I'm not positive) that the same applies to colleges that you're applying ED to. That said, my statement and example should still apply to the lower colleges that do care about their matriculation rate.</p>
<p>Those schools that do track interest are often quite open about it. And there is a field in the Common Data Set, which I believe every school is required to file, that asks whether "level of applicant's interest" is considered in admission decisions. Check "First Time, First Year Freshman Admission" under "Basis for Selection, Non-Academic."</p>