<p>A friend recommended that I email the regional admissions counselor for a college after I visit their campus to show my interest. I've emailed two so far, Boston University and Wesleyan University, but both of them emailed back with what seemed like automated replies. </p>
<p>My question is, how much do schools care about your interest? Will emailing admissions really show my interest in the school if they are just going to send automated replies? If not, in what other ways can I show my interest in the school?</p>
<p>Some of the schools I'm interested in include Vassar College, Colgate U, and U Penn. If you know anything about these schools specifically, could you tell me?</p>
<p>Colleges certainly care about the level of genuine interest from those applicants they accept. Should they make you an offer of admissions they would very much like for you to come.</p>
<p>The best way to demonstrate “interest” is through your application – that your grades/rank, test scores and ECs – are a fit, and that your recommendations and essays connect with what the college has to offer.</p>
<p>At least for selective colleges campus visits and emails get lost by the mere volume of applications.</p>
<p>At least in the case of the University of Pennsylvania the point of getting in touch with the regional admissions representation is perhaps to obtain information or clarity regarding some aspect of the application process that is unique for you and that is not clearly spelled out on the university’s web site. This is rarely necessary. Special advocacy for your application should come from your college counselor and (in my opinion) not from you.</p>
<p>There are other times to contact the regional representative – as after you are accepted and you need additional information regarding the offer and the university. Finally, should you end up on the admissions waiting list, the regional admissions representative is your main point of contact as regards letters of continued interest, etc.</p>
<p>I have heard that it can, but I don’t really know. I wouldn’t email the regional rep. just for the sake of emailing him, but if you have a genuine question or a substantive update - go for it.</p>
<p>(I have heard that it is useful to be recognized when they start going through the pile of applications.)</p>