<p>Son has sent in his college apps -- a lot of them are reaches, which he is okay with. However, we heard that part of the admission decision involves 'demonstrated interest' ('don't submit your app in a vacuum') so we were thinking that maybe he could write a follow-up letter of interest to a few of his most preferred schools (esp. those he hasn't been able to visit).</p>
<p>This seems like a reasonable approach--but I wanted to rule out any chance that it could back-fire, and admissions officers would view it as 'pushy' or just 'too much.' </p>
<p>Seems unlikely, but just wanted to be sure....</p>
<p>As long as it's genuine, I think it can only help, especially at schools where the Common Data Set section C7 "Level of applicant's interest" doesn't say "Not Considered."</p>
<p>Jolynne - My initial reaction to your question was "No way." But then I realized that my D did send a follow up letter to her top choice school. Did that put her over the top? I can't say, but it might have made a difference. If the letter is sincere and contains information that helps the college make a better decision, why not send it?</p>
<p>My inclination is no unless he has something extra to add - special award. His interest in those schools should be coming through his essays, Why ___ Univ. I think there is a very good reason why they limit those essays to X number of words. If you have a good GC, I would ask him to push for your son.</p>
<p>Thanks, NewHope33 & oldfort. Actually, son is done w/apps & who knows what GC wrote (hopefully something good, although she has hundreds of students she oversees). </p>
<p>One thing--some of the schools didn't ask 'Why X Univ?" They were more general essays, e.g. "Write about a passion of yours" or "What would you bring to the campus community," etc. </p>
<p>I would not send the follow-up letter. Yes, some colleges (not all of them) track contact and use that information when making the admissions decisions. But not all contact is helpful. IMO, a student should initiate contact only if 1) he/she has a question that can't be answered by referring to the school's website or course catalogue, or 2) he/she has earned a new award or honor since submitting the application, and he/she wants to advise the college. College admissions officers are up to their ears in application. Letters written simply to reiterate interest/rack up a contact are likely viewed as a nuisance -- not the sort of "demonstrated interest" that will help an application.</p>
<p>I think demonstrated interest is much more of a factor in the match and safety schools. These are the schools that are worried that they will admit someone who really has no interest and is just using the school as a safety net. So might not admit the candidate for fear of effect on their yield. The reaches... not so much. </p>
<p>Some schools actively discourage "padding" the application with supplementary material (Stanford comes to mind). So I would definitely not send to such a school. And you can usually tell their attitude toward such material by looking at their website.</p>
<p>I agree with wjb as to reasons that further contact might make sense. Better ways than a letter to demonstrate interest are to visit, attend information sessions at your high school or in your local area. If this is not possible, then I can see a letter stating that budget or time constraints prevent your doing so, but that you are interested for very specific reasons.</p>
<p>Jolynne: If your son is unable to visit some of the schools on his list, can he request an interview with a local alum, or go to a local college fair or area visit by the college and talk with the college representative there? If not, then a letter of the sort jmmom suggested, explaining why he's not able to visit, is a great idea.</p>
<p>I don't think that sending a letter will be helpful (though it probably won't hurt...) If he chooses to do it, he should try to send it to his regional admissions officer (some colleges list the on their website)</p>
<p>I agree with the suggestion of an alumni interview (if a visit is nit possible). If a representative comes to your son's school, he should definitely try to see him and talk to him, since usually that will be the regional officer who will read his application.</p>
<p>Just call the schools and ask if they value demonstrated interest in the application review. You'll probably be put through to the Dean/Counselor of the Day, who probably isn't going to take your name. If they do, the phone call alone might be noted as a positive sign.</p>
<p>Good thoughts, thanks!! There is a local reception for a U that son already visited (but he really wants to go there-- U of MD--great prgrm in his major). Wonder if that would be helpful? He already knows all that general info stuff from the tour.</p>
<p>It did seem -- intuitively -- that a letter to the super-big schools that are very competitive would not be worth much (they've got enough to do).</p>
<p>my-3-sons--okay...maybe we won't go. Son did the whole tour thing, and talked w/an advisor in his major for 1 hr. If they track it--I think he's showed it! :-)</p>
<p>The only advantage that I could see of going to the local presentation is that he could introduce himself to the regional admissions rep who may be important in the decision on him.</p>
<p>My D did send a follow-up letter in the spring when she qualified for a national competition, didn't help her with her reaches.</p>
<p>Jolynne, I'd say that if your son really wants to go to U of MD, it would definitely be a help to attend the local presentation, even though he's already had the tour. I'd also suggest that he talk with the representative afterwards, particularly about his interest in the program in his major area. If the representative remembers him, it would be a plus. </p>
<p>While I think U of MD is reasonably reliable in admissions decisions, there was a strange situation last spring (covered on CC), when they rejected an applicant I would have considered outstanding for their pool. The applicant had national awards for research (+ strong GPA + respectable test scores). Based on information in the CC thread, it is conceivable that the GC sent the wrong transcript. But I have wondered whether the correct transcript was sent, and U of MD admissions just thought that she really wanted to go someplace else.</p>
<p>Thanks, QuantMech. Son did like the school (has a great major) & so did I -- nice plus is that is decently far from home (he'd like that--abt 2 hrs) but not overwhelmingly so (he's applied to schools in CA & Wash State). At first I was all about--"apply wherever! it's your future!" Now I'm sad thinking of him so far away.</p>
<p>It would be worth it to meet w/regional rep & even incrimentally increase chances (if possible).</p>
<p>FWIW - I intend to have my son send personal e-mails to individuals who take time to speak with him personally at information sessions and/or tours (particularly at certain departments). I’m not expecting this will help with admissions necessarily, but I do believe it is courteous. I would love for Dr. X to remember my S should he go to Dr. X’s Univ. and for Dr. X to have kind feelings toward my S before he ever has to grade one of his papers. Besides, you never know who speaks with whom on college campuses. You might just get Dr. X eating lunch with an ad com right after he receives my S’s email and he just happens to mention this. Unlikely, perhaps, but I don’t feel it could really hurt.</p>