Hey Guys, I am a junior currently and I will be applying to colleges in the Fall. I have a question about Demonstrated interest, if I can’t visit the colleges I am applying to, how can I show demonstrated interest. Some people have told me to be in touch with the admissions rep. from my area but how I do I know who that is and how do I talk to him. And do y’all think that any of the IVYs or UNC/NYU care about demonstrated interest or is it just small colleges.
- The Common Data Set provides information regarding which universities do -- and do not -- consider/track interest.
- Many Admissions' websites identify your applicable Regional Admissions Officer.
- In general, schools that annually receive tens-of-thousands of application really have no viable (and cost effective) method to track interest.
As already stated, most schools don’t really consider or even monitor ‘demonstrated interest.’
If you are genuinely interested in a school, then you should take advantage of things like opportunities to tour the campus or speak with an admissions representative. But you shouldn’t do these things because you think that you need to “demonstrate interest.” You should do it out of genuine interest.
^Yes, but demonstrated interest can be critically important at many of the top 50 or 100 LACs. It can mean the difference between an admit, an admit with merit money, or a WL.
Go to your local college fair and speak to the representatives from the colleges you are interested in.
Look at what’s available online (videos, etc.), and then call your regional rep and ask a question about something that you saw. The admissions reps are often identified by locality on the college/university website. If not, call the general admissions number (don’t text).
Ask if there is an alum in your area that you can meet with (not necessarily as a formal interview), preferably a recent graduate. See if your h.s. has recent graduates who are attending now, and speak to them.
Finally, there is no substitute for visiting. Identify three “likely schools” (matches) that you are interested in and try to find some way to visit. Cajole a friend or a relative into driving you. It will really pay dividends when you are writing your essays. If the ad com is deciding between a student who has visited and one who hasn’t, they are much more likely to accept the one who has, other things being equal. And no one should commit to a school that they haven’t seen, so from a time management standpoint, it is better to do it sooner rather than later.
As others have said, ensure by reading the Common Data Set first that the schools ever CONSIDER demonstrated interest. From there, you can sign up to receive email and updates from the school, email the admissions reps and ask them any genuine questions you have (Don’t just ask questions to ask questions.), and definitely visit the booth at the college fair and talk to reps there, asking them, again, any genuine questions you have.
Check their websites to see if they have an email list you can sign up for. Not only would that show interest, it will help you to learn more about the school and any upcoming events (such as a visit to your area).