<p>I was planning to take my DD to a university so she could have an interview with the admissions staff. I just learned that the school does not conduct admissions interviews. Other than applying ED, which she is not planning to do, how can she demonstrate her interest in the school? Does the fact that a student takes a campus tour count in his or her favor? Not everyone can spare the time or money to travel hours to see a school that won't even bother with interviews.</p>
<p>Register for the tour and the information session. When your D starts to receive emails from the school, have her open each one (schools can tell if they are deleted without being opened). </p>
<p>Many high schools host college reps and students are able to sign up for these and meet the reps in small group info sessions. These are great opportunities to introduce yourself, speak one on one, and get your name on the list.</p>
<p>Also once she applies, have her open her student portal from time to time. If she has any questions about the school, she can email the admissions person. </p>
<p>Also look on the Common Data Set for that Univ. and see if they even care about interest. Some do, some don’t.</p>
<p>Other than the things stated above, i would just say the essay could really help in proving her interest </p>
<p>If you live a good distance from the school then have her email the admissions counselor with a question and mention where she is from somewhere in the conversation. Some schools do not hold not visiting against a student more than a certain number of miles away. She can demonstrate interest by emailing or calling with questions and by doing any optional essays.</p>
<p>If your kid take the SAT send them one of the free SAT. That’s what we did on both schools that track interest.</p>
<p>Misguided worry. The school does not offer interviews, and that is just it. Interviews and expressions of interest rarely carry any importance. Do no sweat it. </p>
<p>Except for the asinine essay “Why XYZ” you should not waste precious lines with expressions of interest beyond … applying. </p>
<p>I agree with xiggi, most schools really aren’t paying that much attention, though according to GC at our school one student was put on the waiting list because she appeared not to have had a campus visit and they thought she was close enough that she should have arranged one. (She had just not officially.) She did come off the waitlist. I do think the best way to demonstrate interest is to write the Why___ college essay in a way that shows both that you understand what the college is about and what you have to offer.</p>
<p>Does the school care if she expresses interest? Google “<school name=”"> common data set" and look in the admissions section of the latest one available (probably 2014-14). There is a list of things considered in admissions with "x"s next to them. Look at student interest and see what it says. It may not matter at all.</school></p>
<p>If it does matter, and you do want her to show interest, the types of things to do are:
- Have her sign up for the email list at the admissions website
- If they come to a college fair, have her visit the table to chat and register that she was there
- Visiting campus and taking a tour is good, be sure she registers with admissions (don’t just go on a Sunday night and walk around on your own…)</p>
<p>Many top schools don’t do interviews. But they also don’t necessarily care if you show interest.</p>
<p>Note that waiting to visit until after acceptance can backfire. Acceptance come in only about 5 weeks before decisions need to be made. Tickets/travel are expensive then, and time is short to see schools. </p>
<p>At some schools, if an applicant’s stats put her in the 90th percentile of students, interest counts. It shows that the applicant is not using it as a safety. </p>
<p>There are some colleges that don’t really count demonstrated interest - you can google the school’s common data set and check. But some things you can do are 1) be sure to be on the mailing list 2) email the admissions officer for your area – just be sure your question is not covered on the school website 3) I’d still visit if at all possible (if your D is applying ED it is a good idea to see the school before she commits to going) and sign up for the official tour/information session 4) If the college comes to your D’s high school she should attend the session 5) If the college comes to a nearby college fair go, sign in at their booth, and talk to the representative 6) Some colleges have online chats so she can check to see if those are offered and participate.</p>
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<p>Yes, but Williams, for example, which doesn’t do interviews, will set up a meeting with an admissions counselor. I’m sure that doesn’t hurt–given that you are otherwise competitive for admissions. </p>
<p>Some schools do NOT consider demonstrated interest in the admissions mix at all. They just don’t.</p>
<p>Interesting. Thank you all! This never occurred to me. I remember interviewing a lot when I was applying back in the '80s.</p>
<p>Happy1 has it exactly right. College reps will often tell you if they track demonstrated interest. If they do, and they’re deciding between two comparable students, one whose first and only contact is through the application; and who who visited (even at a college fair<) attended an info session at their high school, and who is already on their mailing list would probably be deemed someone who is more likely to attend. We don’t recommend our students contact college reps with questions just to show interest, but if they have solid and deeper-than-the-website queries, that’s certainly great.</p>
<p>There was a great spot on NPR and this very issue was one that was recommended. The adcom on the show was from Georgia tech where demonstrated interest is not part of the admissions equation. He told some hilarious real stories…my favorite was the parent who wrote an email to her son saying she would pay him $20 for each contact he made to Georgia Tech. Trouble was…she also sent it to the adcoms at Georgis Tech!</p>
<p>You don’t have to talk to the college rep… just look at the Common Data Set (lots of other interesting info in those doucments, too, they are worth looking at).</p>
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<p>Yes and no! </p>
<p>There is nothing inherently bad about doing all those steps, if one DOES have the time and inclination. On the other hand, NOTHING bad will happen is one only does a couple of those things or none of them! </p>
<p>The above has often been a subject of discussion at schools that are proud of their college prep programs. Does one really think that the Yale rep who visit a school assembly will leave with a list of the parents in attendance? At best, he (or she) might remember the couple of parents who pushed and pushed to be able to ask their typical clueless questions (asked in the secret hope to score a point or two.) You can transpose the scene at any college orientation where you see a bored kid escorted by a set of parents with all the “right” stuff acquired at the college bookstore. The same parents who ask the questions that trigger that rising eyebrow from the poor kid. </p>
<p>The visits of college when affordable and doable CAN be instructive if all parties involved are interested. It can be a great way to plan family time IF the entire group of participants is involved. You got to feel sorry for the little kids who are brought on a tour. </p>
<p>Are there many points to score on a college night, a college visit, or an interview? Just as much as there are plenty to lose! If you believe that the school keeps note (unlikely at most schools) you also have to believe that not all impressions are positive. On the other hand, the contacts might be helpful for YOU to decide if the school is all what it appeared to be on the surface. </p>
<p>In so many words, one can easily survive doing NONE of those “contact” steps, and simply following the instructions of the admission offices to a tee. Learn all there is to learn from easily available sources. If a program sounds interesting, find a way to contact faculty members with sensible queries about the program (not the admission chances) If there are questions about technical parts of the admissions, do not hesitate to ask for clarifications. </p>
<p>In the end, ask yourself if you really want to be part of a school that rewards such as silly thing as demonstrated level of interest … when it can be faked so easily! </p>
<p>@xiggi, I don’t agree if the school says in their Common Data Set that student interest is considered. I do agree that a contact CAN hurt as much as it helps, depending on the kid. If you think that might be the case (I have a kid who is a terrible interviewer, for example), and if the school says they do care, then go for the more anonymous contact options. Sign up for emails on the website, and go on a tour of the campus (you sign in at admissions, but rarely does anyone notice who you are if you don’t have an interview). </p>