<p>Does Wash U take into account demonstrated interest in acceptance decisions? If so, What do they track and what forms of demonstrated imterest are most important?</p>
<p>Yes, it's very important. They'll reject you if you think you're just applying to WashU as a backup. Going for an campus tour & interview and perhaps applying for one of the scholarships should be enough interest.</p>
<p>^You don't actually need to tour. They recognize that not everyone is able to do this, especially with rising fuel costs.</p>
<p>My 'demonstrated interest' came in the form of a local rep meeting. The rep had gone to my school, and then held a bigger city wide meeting at a hotel that night. I went to both, and after the city meeting I stayed behind and literally said something along the longs of being in love with WashU. I'm guessing it worked, since no one else in my school got in when I was the only one who showed up for the city meeting.</p>
<p>How important is it to have an interview? Is touring and attending an info session enough?</p>
<p>For what it's worth, I didn't have an interview. Apparently someone called me about it, but I didn't notice the voicemail until 3 months later and it didn't affect my admission.
If you have the opportunity though, I would have one just to get to know more about the school.</p>
<p>I got waitlisted at WashU and ended up visiting the campus, speaking personally to two people in admissions, and hand-delivered them a packet of new additions to my application since its submission (additional rec letters, confirmation of National Merit Finalist status, letter from teacher detailing our school's unofficial Calc BC program, etc.). I didn't interview though, and I regret not doing that in retrospect.</p>
<p>Fooby-- did you get accepted off the wait list after you did all that?</p>
<p>I think we all have to keep in mind that "demonstrated interest" is not some sort of salvation. It can definitely give you a boost if you are right on the cusp, but don't put all your eggs in one basket because I know many people who bank too heavily on demonstrated interest. The college admissions process is too complex and quirky for anyone to make sweeping generalizations. Example: me! I had very borderline grades/test scores (although very good ECs) and did not realize how important it was to show demonstrated interest, but was luckily accepted.</p>
<p>Best of Luck Class of 2009,
The Individual</p>