How much "demonstrated interest" is enough?

Applying to College
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<p>As I've been reading through many posts the last few months during this last trimester of the college admissions process, I have seen many references to "continued demonstrated interest". Most of these references mention sending updates to Admission Reps after submitting your application or sending in additional questions or reaffirmations of one's love for XYZ University. </p>

<p>DS and I visited all but one of the schools he applied to during two separate Spring and late-Summer trips last year. We did the Info Sessions, Tours, and Engineering Tours. He asked questions, took advantage of interviews later in the process if they were available. He filled out all the apps, answered all the essay questions including the optional ones. He did research on all the "Why XYZ U?" essays. He signed up on the mailing lists in order to receive all the email and mailings. Seems like those steps should demonstrate a significant amount of interest. When he wrapped all that up in December, he took the admirable step of focusing on school and his sport and trying to enjoy the remainder of his senior year. </p>

<p>After reading a few of theses posts, I mentioned to DS maybe he should send an update to 3-4 of his favorites and he looked at me like I had three eyes. "Do they really care how my wrestling season is going?" he stated with dripping sarcasm.</p>

<p>How much "love" do the "selective" or "highly selective" schools really want or need to see? </p>

<p>How do kids (who for the most part have had very limited exposure to any school even if they visited) know they "love' any school at this point?</p>

<p>Are a lot of applicants sending in these "updates"?</p>

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<p>Check their common data sets, or their admissions criteria entries on [url=<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com%5DCollegeData:”>http://www.collegedata.com]CollegeData:</a> College Search, Financial Aid, College Application, College Scholarship, Student Loan, FAFSA Info, Common Application<a href=“look%20for%20whether%20%22level%20of%20applicant’s%20interest%22%20is%20considered”>/url</a>.</p>

<p>Super selective schools are unlikely to consider “level of applicant’s interest”, since they are not anyone’s safety. Schools a notch or few down in selectivity that may otherwise be thought of as safeties by those applying to super selective schools are more likely to consider “level of applicant’s interest”. Public schools are less likely to consider “level of applicant’s interest” than private schools, although there are some exceptions.</p>

<p>It would also not be surprising if each school that cared had specific ways of showing interest that it notices more than others.</p>

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<p>The info you send has to have some relevance to the application to that college. Knowing the school and articulating well in the Why Us? is more important than just a “staying in touch” email. Best wishes.</p>