In many of the Results threads for acceptances, I see a lot of people that say “I didn’t show any interest in the college.” Does showing interest really make a significant difference? How can you show interest if you are unable to make a campus visit?
For each college, Google " Common Data Set". Look in section C7, and you can see how important “Level of Applicant Interest” is. If it is considered or higher, then you should try to show some interests. Those colleges are admitting that they want to protect their yield (percent of students offered acceptance that choose to attend), so they are looking for signs you actually have some interest. Things you can do:
- If you can, make a campus visit. Be sure you sign in at admissions if you do so they know you have been there.
- Sign up on the college website to get emails/mailings. Usually can be done on the admissions page.
- If the college is coming to your area for an event, try to attend. Introduce yourself to the rep.
- If the college comes to a college fair in your area, attend and introduce yourself. Be sure you sign whatever they have at their table so they know you were there.
- If you have LEGITIMATE questions that you are looking for help with, email the admissions rep for your area or the admissions office. (Do not pester them with stuff that is easy to find on the website, though, that does not make a good impression!).
- If the college has a "Why College X?" essay, you need to do a lot of online digging to find nuggets of things you like about a college. Looking at specific course offerings within the major you are interested in, maybe specific labs or facilities they have, clubs or activities on campus that you hope to join, etc. They want to know that you took the time to actually dig in and consider why you want to attend.