<p>I'm applying ED to UPenn, but I was wondering how much of my chance would be affected if I have not visited the campus.
I actually did visit the campus, but I went there on July the 4th so everything was closed and Penn won't have a record of my visiting to the skl. Should I mention this on the essay? Or should I not fret over it?</p>
<p>I was told Penn is one of the schools that does not take interest into account (visiting, requestiong viewbooks/info, etc.). Most top schools don’t.</p>
<p>I have a different impression and it is my understanding that Penn does care about demonstrated interest, which (as indicated above) is rare for a top school. I would mention the visit and use it to support your essay about why you want to attend Penn.</p>
<p>Naviance and their website say demonstrated interest is not taken into account at all last time I checked (a few months ago), but maybe they’ve changed their policy since then.</p>
<p>Of course interest is taken into account. They are not going to accept a kid who knows nothing about the school and only applied because it’s an Ivy League. That being said, there are plenty of ways to show interest outside of visiting the campus. For one, do your research about the school and its uniqueness. What does Penn offer that appeals to you? Then, write about those interests in your supplemental essay. A good essay should show your interest in the school well enough that visiting doesn’t even matter.</p>
<p>Think about it, how can Penn judge you based off of your visiting history? Do you think they expect California applicants to visit the school? Obviously not, so they can’t take it into account.</p>
<p>My opinion regarding demonstrated interest is based on the Eric Furda interview (the thread can be found at the top of the first page of the Penn section of CC), as well as statements made by 3 different admissions officers during 3 different presentations I have attended.</p>
<p>The admission adviser at our visit last week emphasized that many students are too far to visit, but you must show interest by going through the website to understand all Penn has to offer and how you will contribute to the Penn experience.</p>