<p>Since I have been waitlisted at WashU, I have learned that at some schools, interest goes a long way when there are many overqualified applicants. I had an alumni interview and I keep in touch with this admission officer off and on. Does Cornell care about "interest" at all? Cuz I think being waitlisted at WashU has presented a new perspective for me regarding college admissions lol</p>
<p>Yes, interest does count at a great many schools. As for WashU and your waitlist, look at the number of students who have been waitlisted there in the past -- and you are in very good company. However, if you want to get off the waitlist in May & be accepted there, you have to continue demonstrating your interest, updating the adcom on any thing that's new that can improve your chances, such as honors, awards and other achievements. As for Cornell and "demonstrated interest," it matters less than the other things you bring to the table. Of course it depends on the particular school to which you've applied, but because of the large number of applicants, with Cornell it usually comes down to the numbers -- unless of course you're a recruited athlete, have a recognized special talent or are a legacy.</p>
<p>I personally don't think that Cornell cares that much about "interest", and certainly not even close to how much Wash U cares about it. I think that what Cornell does care about are is your academic interest, which shows through in the Cornell Essays form, so if you didn't spend too much time on those essays, then it's going to be bad for your application.</p>
<p>Yes. I've read that colleges do take interest into account. However, I also read in US News and World Report that many colleges have become aware that many students have only started to "show" interest to get a "leg up" in the admissions process. In general, colleges like to see that students are very interested. However, interest in and of itself does not guarantee admission. Colleges take a lot of other things into consideration as well.</p>
<p>okay well, I feel a little bit better. It's just that I don't have the time or the money for that matter to be visiting colleges that may or may not accept me. Therefore I'm waiting to visit after I get acceptance letters. I was just really ****ed off that that was one of the reasons I was waitlisted at WashU. I did spend a lot of time on my essays, so well see in a coupla days</p>