<p>I have read and been told by at least one admissions officer in a presentation that the selective colleges keep track of interest shown. If you request info from the school or a department, or you request their DVD, or you go to a presentation, or you visit the school; it all goes into a database. At admissions time, it will help some if you have shown an interest in the college. Also, in any essay explaining why you chose the school, use specific information that shows that you have researched it. For example, use names of programs and research centers.</p>