How does one effectively “demonstrate interest?” Am I supposed to call or email the admissions office directly? What questions should I ask? (All the answers are online!)
Selective colleges on my list I’ve been told I need to demonstrate interest to:
-Notre Dame
-Northwestern
-UChicago
-WashU
-Duke
-Boston College
-Swarthmore
-Grinnell
-Carleton
-College of the Holy Cross
Look at each college’s CDS and it will say how they prioritize interest. I beleive at Carleton it is not considered. At Wash U, it is, but I don’t know to what extent. Obviously visitng shows interest, but isn’t always practical. If you are a URM or from a low SES, or have other considerations, you might be eligible to visit some of those colleges on their dime. There was an excellent list posted on CC a few months back about colleges that sponsor these types of visits, but you can try using the searching box, or even google it. And yes, use the link above for more tips. Good
luck.
If there is an optional essay on the application, write it. If SAT II’s are recommended, submit the scores.
Do not call and ask questions that are answered on the webiste. That will be viewed negatively by admissions officers. Only email/call if you have a question that isn’t answered on the website.
Look up each school on your list on the common data set and it will indicate if demonstrated interest is a factor in admissions.
Some things you can do are: visiting is the best way if it is possible, get on the mailing list, if the school offers interviews request one (if you can’t get to campus request a local alumni interview), participate in online chats the admissions office may have, go to a local college fair if the school is there and talk to the admission rep and sign-in at the booth, go to any local presentations the school may give (including at your HS) etc…
Sign up for any mailing lists the school puts out, and any newsletters/magazines they may have. Always do an interview if available, and visit if at all possible. Look for fly-ins that colleges offer.
Carleton offers alumni interviews and, at least in our area, they hosted “meet and greet” opportunities for high school seniors. I don’t remember whether or not they officially consider interest but there were definitely admissions representatives present at the meet-and-greet that we attended. Human nature being what it is, I’d say that even if they don’t officially consider interest, showing interest to small LACs by attending events in your area is just good common sense.
On the other hand, when the Ivies say that they don’t consider interest, I take their word for it.
Thanks for the advice! How does one access the “common data set”?
@pkdeegan25 Just google “common data set” and the college name. Not all schools publish their CDS but the majority do.
Here’s Carleton’s since it’s my favorite of your schools listed. 
The info you are looking for re: demonstrated interest is in C7, although I suggest perusing the entire CDS because they are chalk full of useful data. You can see from Carleton’s info, that the school states they do not consider demonstrated interest.
https://apps.carleton.edu/campus/ira/assets/CDS_2015_2016_completed_with_Part_G.pdf
FYI, WUSTL is one school that does not publicly release its CDS.