How to Demonstrate interest Now?

College Search & Selection
1

Hello,

I was wondering what’s most effective way to demonstrate an interest in a college now. I am applying to some colleges that I researched recently and haven’t done a tour or contacted them really in any way. For instance, Hamilton college. I really like it but I haven’t demonstrated interest. Is there anything I could do before JAN 1st, or after I submit my application? Or does demonstrating interest not matter that much?

Thanks

2

Make sure you’re on their mailing list. Book an interview if available - many colleges have off-campus interviews conducted by alumni in your area. If you have specific and legitimate questions (not just ones you could easily find the answer to online), reaching out to the admissions office by phone or email is another way to demonstrate interest.

The weight that demonstrated interest has varies from school to school. To find out how important it is, google “[Insert college name] Common Data Set” and find section C7, where colleges indicate how important different admissions factors are.

3

okay sounds good, Thanks

4

wouldn’t it look suspicious if I emailed with a question a few days before the application is due? or is that normal?

5

As @lalalemma suggested, make sure you’re on the mailing list. Join the Facebook group and sign up for any web-chats they offer. There are a few schools that schedule invitation-only interviews after applications have been submitted and reviewed. I have no idea if Hamilton is one of those but if offered the interview, take it.

A school my son applied to sent out an email a few weeks after the application deadline inviting applicants to submit an additional, short, supplemental essay (200 words, simple prompt). This was one of my son’s top choice schools and he had his response written and submitted within 30 minutes of receiving it. I don’t know if they were looking at the timestamps on the responses but if they were, my kid would have been near the top. It may not have been the most polished response they received but it brimmed with genuine enthusiasm.

I feel for you because my son discovered a school at about this time last year that seemed like it would have been a great fit. There wasn’t anything he could do but submit his application. It was a reach anyway and he ended up waitlisted. The thing about being waitlisted under these circumstances is that it gives you a second chance to demonstrate interest.