Although most schools say interest level doesn’t matter, my gc says it wouldn’t hurt to email a few schools? Do you all think I should and if so should I just request information?
If you look at the Common Data Set for each school (google it), they will tell you whether demonstrated interest matters to them. Co to section C and look at the factors they consider for admissions and how each one is weighted.
I find the whole expressing interest component to be very mixed. Many of the schools my kid is applying to say the consider interest, but after a couple of emails back in May or September, and zero response, she gave up. These are colleges that say “email us, we are delighted to hear from you!” They don’t respond. A few have, however. I think it is best to establish contact either after April, or before October.
There are lots of ways to demonstrate interest besides e-mailing admissions offices—visiting (perhaps more than once), spending a night or two there, contacting a current student, writing to a professor, etc. If a school values demonstrated interest, take this seriously, and if you live within an hour or two of the school, visit at least twice, preferably for different types of admissions events. Keep track of all your visits and mention them in your application.
@Lindagaf I think you’re right. The flip side of that is also true. There are many schools that claim not to value demonstrated interest, but indeed, actually do. Many schools on the Common Application ask how you learned about the school. I think putting things like campus Visit (ideally more than once); contacted faculty; interview; etc. can only strengthen your application.
Some schools will not care about demonstrated interest. Others may care slightly. I would like to add one last thought: Unless the cost of a campus visit presents a financial hardship, how can someone say they really want to attend School X if they haven’t even visited the campus?
@golfcashoahu , it isn’t always feasible to visit every college a kid is interested in. My D and I ultimately visited 28 colleges. She is applying to 12, 2 of whihc we never visited becasue they were just too far away and there was no time or money to go that far. She did a lot of research and is very sure she would like to attend. If she is accepted, we will visit. As you probably know, it also costs money for hotels, hire cars,meals out,etc… I tried to make it work to visit, but the very cheapest I could budget for was $1500 for a two day trip, becuse I wasn’t prepared to drive ten hours each way. College visitng can indeed be very expensive.
To the OP, arrange some interviews once you have decided on your colleges. That definitly shows interest. And try to visit. The Common Data set of each college can tell you if a college considers interest in their admission decision. But it doesn’t hurt to,show interest. Of course, try to visit colleges if you can.
- Agree that you should first look at the common data set. If a school doesn’t count demonstrated interest, then there is no need to do so. The schools don’t lie about that sort of thing.
- Emailing ad admissions rep just to express interest or to ask a question that is answered on the school’s website won’t help you at all. The admissions officers are very busy at this point. If you email you with a question not answered on the website or easily found literature (ex. college guide books) that is OK.
- You can also demonstrate interest by just signing up for the school’s email list. If alumni interviews are available you can request one in your area.