<p>Hi,</p>
<p>Is Demonstrated Interest important for NW admissions?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Probably not. I said on the supplement that I learned about Northwestern/gained interest in applying through the Viewbook and the Internet, and I got in. I never visited the campus and never went to an info session even though a representative visited my school once every year. My “Why Northwestern” essay didn’t demonstrate much interest either–it looked as though I spent as much time on that essay as I did on this post.</p>
<p>On the other hand, demonstrated interest will HELP boost an application that might be lacking somewhere. All colleges like to see demonstrated interest because it means you’re more likely to accept an enrollment offer, thus that helps their ‘accepted and enrolled’ statistic. If you have a slightly weak GPA or test score or something, but show a lot of clear interest, it might give you a nudge up the line.</p>
<p>Demonstrated interest is the basic idea that makes applying Early Decision a slight advantage.</p>
<p>I was surprised to find out (after my son was accepted) that Northwestern does consider demonstrated interest - it’s not an important factor, but it is considered. Does the NU common app supplement still ask if you have visited? It’s a good idea to visit if you can.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to NU’s common data set, which indicates that interest is “considered”.</p>
<p>[2008-09</a> First-time, first-year (freshman) admission, Common Data Set - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/commondata/2008-09/c.htm]2008-09”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/commondata/2008-09/c.htm)</p>