How do you show interest in the schools you want to attend?

Parents Forum
1

A few years ago when a student wanted to show interest in a school, they would visit and then try and create a rapport with the regional admissions counselor. Now a days, it seems as if admissions counselors are becoming more and more adverse to that kind of personal contact. So whats the secret? How does one show that they are interested, other than visiting?

2

Other than visiting?

…sign up for the school’s mail and emails; open and read the emails
…if an admissions officer is visiting your high school, sign up to attend the info session
…stop by that college’s booth at college night and make sure to leave your contact information

Visit if you possibly can. If you are very interested, ask to meet with a professor from the department of interest and/or stay overnight with a student, and/or have a meal in the student cafeteria.

Probably the strongest statements you can make is having a thoughtful and meaningful answer to the “why us” essay question AND applying early decision or early action.

If you can afford to attend regardless of financial aid given, it is okay to send the message that you WILL attend if accepted. If you need financial aid, let them know they are your first choice, but do not commit to attending.

3

See

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1626043-ways-to-show-a-high-level-of-applicants-interest.html

for an older discussion on the topic (although the order of schools listed on FAFSA is no longer applicable since schools no longer see what other schools are listed on the applicant’s FAFSA).

4

First see if the college takes interest into account.

To see the relative importance of factors such as Demonstrated Interest, etc. check out the latest Common Data Set, Section C7

Here is an example for CWRU:

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/case-western-reserve-university/2014835-how-to-show-interest-in-cwru.html

5

The ultimate way to show interest is to apply by binding Early Decision.

6

Some ways to demonstrate interest include:

  1. Visit if possible
  2. Get on the mailing list
  3. If the college gives a presentation near you or at your HS you should attend.
  4. If the college attends a college fair near you then try to attend and visit the school’s booth
  5. Request a local alumni interview if they are available or interview on campus if that is possible.
  6. Some colleges have online question & answer sessions so if available you can participate in those
  7. If you have a question that can’t be answered by carefully reading the website you can email your admissions rep to ask.
  8. Read up on the school (website, college guide books such as Fiske, Princeton Review, see if school newspaper is online, look through online course catalog) so if you do contact someone at the school and/or if you have to write a “Why this college” essay in the supplement you can be knowledgeable about why the school appears to be a good fit.

And I do agree that applying ED is the ultimate way to show interest. But I would only apply ED if: a) the college is your absolute top choice; and b) you have no need to compare financial offers among different colleges.

To determine if demonstrated interest matters for the schools you are considering google the common data set for each college and look at section C7.

7

Apply ED or EA.

8

All of the above. Also, some schools track how much time you spend on their web page - especially when they email you links. (Not all schools do this. For many, it is frowned upon) So, maybe look up the departments that interest you and spend some time reading the material they post.