<p>Can I safely assume that applying ED suffices as adequate "displayed interest in a school"? I'm asking because my son's top choice school has some upcoming presentations scheduled and part of me feels he should make an effort to attend, but they are not particularly convenient (e.g. in the city, in the evening, on a weeknight.) He wants to demonstrate his love for the school, but since he is applying ED, doesn't "displayed interest" go without saying? ( he has already attended an on-campus tour and info session.)</p>
<p>An ED application is probably the strongest way to show a high “level of applicant’s interest”.</p>
<p>No need to go just to display interest. Now… if he wants to meet the admissions rep and make a good impression, he should go. if you think he would do well, but you should be honest with yourself – I had one kid who was a GREAT interview and could only help herself by talking to people, and one was just awful at it. </p>
<p>Even if you visited, I’d still consider going to one of them. He may get the opportunity to speak with the local admissions counselor (who likely will be presenting his file) and reaffirm his interest. No need to go to more than one since it will probably be the same presentation.</p>
<p>Those things are mostly a waste of time. Would you cancel an event to attend this presentation? You got your answer! Do not drink the sheep KoolAid and focus on what really helps your application. </p>
<p>Demonstrated interest is especially helpful for students applying under normal admissions deadlines–EA, RD, rolling. Applying ED is, of course, a binding contract, so you’d BETTER be interested! 
That being said, not all colleges look at demonstrated interest as an admissions criteria. HOWEVER, I always think that if a local admissions representative who is presenting your file has seen you and has a face to go with your name, it is a good thing. I would encourage your child to go to one of these, if only to learn how to advocate in person for himself.</p>
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<p>Yes you can</p>
<p>I would say go only if your son is the type to go up and chat with the presenter (and he has something to say) Otherwise, skip it. </p>
<p>Has he already visited the school? If he has and he is applying ED, I would say that is enough for demonstrated interest. Colleges like to see that the student is interested in the actual school itself, not just the prestige of a school, so I’d say the visit is pretty important. But as you mentioned, he has already done all off the above. He should feel no pressure to go to these events because they likely state what he’s already heard (At least it was for Tufts and UVA) If he wants to have a conversation with an admissions rep, he could always send them an email, which they might remember better than 3 minute conversation.</p>
<p>I think I need a rubber stamp that says, “Depends on the college.” </p>
<p>Yes, sometimes these are truly and aggravatingly time wasters. But your point isn’t to be entertained. If it’s just “inconvenient,” why not go? If it’s crowded he may not get to intro himself. But I’m consistently in favor of covering your bases, not assuming everything will be just fine. Given a choice between not going and going, I’d make the effort. </p>
<p>That being said, if he doesn’t go at least send a nice note to the rep expressing regrets that there was a conflicting commitment and maybe asking some intelligent question.</p>
<p>No, he doesn’t need to go. This is a cattle call. We’ve been to those and it isn’t worth the time if he’s already decided to go ED. </p>
<p>Confirm whether the rep at the presentation will be the one reading his application. If it is, and he is one to make a good impression in person, then it is worth the effort. it also depends on the number of attendees - in a huge crowd he may not have an opportunity to speak with the rep. A few schools, however, do see attending an info session as demonstration of interest. Only attend if he is confident about approaching the rep - we were advised by our college counselor to try to attend the sessions or meet with the rep if the opportunity presented itself. My son has borderline stats for his reach (low reach) schools so we’ll see if that helped in the coming months. It did seem that he left them with a favorable impression on all occasions - he tends to present as mature for his age so it was to his advantage to meet face to face.</p>