But at some schools the amount and/or nature of the demonstrated interest directly impacts the type/thoroughness of review the application gets. Any number of schools (generally not highly selectives) segment apps by likelihood of attendance if offered admission before the app is even read, while some do it in parallel to reading the apps. This segmentation is based on scores generated by predictive analytic models.
These models use variables that often include some concept of demonstrated interest activities, such as traveled over X distance to visit, interacted with AO, requested info, etc. If the model suggests the applicant won’t attend if offered admission, Why Us and ECs won’t matter as much…this is all part of understanding what a school wants and if demonstrated interest is important/considered, the applicants who don’t meet those hurdles are disadvantaged.