How do you demonstrate interest in a school?

<p>And how much is too much? For instance, if you live in Manhattan and have your heart set on Columbia or NYU, you could probably visit a professor a day after school. Obviously, you're going to reach the point of diminishing returns pretty soon, and negative returns shortly thereafter.</p>

<p>I'm guessing that about three or four visits is optimal.</p>

<p>And how do you let the admissions office know about it? Do you stop by and sign some guest book, like you do at a wake? Or do you send the prof you visited a thank you note and cc to admissions. Do you just casually drop it into your essay?</p>

<p>You stalk them obsessively and write a journal about any subject of interest. Let it accumulate for 60 days, then send in your findings. </p>

<p>I'm sorry, couldn't resist.</p>

<p>Why not send it to the Dean of Admissions home, registered mail, daily? Anything less seems kind of lame. :)</p>

<p>im wondering, when i apply next year, would it be appropriate to explicit say on my application to my dream school that its my dream school? or is that outside the boundaries of propriety?</p>

<p>Secretly film the admissions officers all day, especially in their houses. Then mail them the videos.</p>

<p>No really, visit a few times, send them your score reports, and email your admissions rep good questions about applying.</p>

<p>Blackmail them</p>

<p>I think having their babies is the line that you shouldn't cross
anything else can't hurt</p>

<p>Kidnap their children until you get your acceptance letter.</p>

<p>This may sound dumb to those of you who have been immersed in the admissions process for a couple of years, but as someone new to this world, I thought it was a great question- one I had wondered about . Can anyone help with an actual answer? Thanks for constructive advice</p>

<p>Ivies don't care about or track interest. Those that do pretty much just want to make sure you've visited and track who takes tours. They know they will yield many more and it's not just a back up if all else fails.</p>

<p>Visit at least once or twice, send mid-term reports and follow-up information (especially for deferrals or waitlists) that include a short statement about your interest in the school. And of course, convey your passion for the school in your essays and interview.<br>
Good Luck! =]</p>

<p>What about contacting prof's in your field of interest to ask about their program? Especially if you have a sought after skill? Kind of like talking to a coach if you are an athlete. Or do scholars have to wait to be 'recruited'? And if you are allowed to contact prof's, should you email or write a letter? If you are visiting a school, should you write to ask if they can see you during your visit? And finally, how do you figure out who to write to at a large school?
Thank you!</p>

<p>Sure, but don't assume that means the prof will call admissions. Certainly if you establish a relationship with one and it moves them to put a letter in your file, it's a plus.</p>

<p>The sad truth is coaches have a pipeline to admissions, profs, not so much.</p>

<p>If possible, apply ED or EA to the school. Periodically troll their websites. Ask questions in their online forums. Visit. Make sure to attend receptions when they are in your area and make sure to fill out registration cards when they're there. Do this even if they've already visited your school and even if you've already filled out other registration cards. Make sure to personally thank the admissions rep. after any contact and only ask constructive questions. Write thank you notes to interviewer, tour guides and other admissions reps. with whom you have contact. Let them see your enthusiasm! </p>

<p>My child did all of the above (with the exception of the online forum posting) and was accepted ED to his dream school.</p>

<p>Merryecho is right on target. My two daughters at Harvard both took this approach, and then submitted supplemental materials with their apps which Harvard Admissions sends to the relevant departments for feedback. With any luck, the faculty providing feedback on their supplementals may have been some of the ones with whom they'd met earlier. Merryecho, the website's probably your best way to research faculty in various departments whose expertise best matches your own interests. My D2, who has a passion for Scandanavian mythology, identified a faculty member whose title is "Professor of Scandinavian and Folklore." If you then Google his webpage, you can read that he states "My research addresses a wide variety of genres and periods of Nordic culture and literature, centering on popular traditions, mythology, and legends in the late medieval and early modern periods, but I have also written on such diverse topics as Scandinavian drama and women's autobiographical literature in the 17th century." D2 was thrilled when he was interested in meeting her, and spent a wonderful hour and a half chatting with him.</p>

<p>Thank you for all of those very helpful replies. D will be putting that advice to work.</p>